Published: July 09, 2009 01:49 pm      

Chiropractor charged with molesting, raping girl in Floyd County

Clarksville practice closed after accusations of touching patients

A New Albany chiropractor accused of touching four female patients at his Clarksville practice faces even more serious charges in Floyd County.

Robert Matthew Nolan, 38, is charged with molesting and raping a female family member in Floyd County from 2005 through 2009.

Nolan is charged with class C felony child molesting, class B felony rape and two counts of class D felony child seduction.

The Evening News and The Tribune was the first to report in May that Nolan was under investigation after four women, ages 16 to 36, claimed he inappropriately touched them at Nolan Chiropractic Center along Veterans Parkway. He was charged with four counts of class B misdemeanor battery and was released on $5,000 court cash or surety bond.

Floyd County Prosecutor Keith Henderson said that information from the Clark County case led to the investigation of child molesting in Floyd County. The alleged victim in the Floyd County case told a forensic interviewer that she had been molested, according to Detective Jeff Firkins.

The girl is 17 years old and was 13 in August 2005, when the alleged child molesting took place.

Henderson said the four incidents represent a “pattern of activity” from 2005 until the present time.

The prosecutor also encouraged other law enforcement agencies to look into what may have happened prior to 2005 when the family first moved to Floyd County.

“These are very serious charges,” Henderson said. “It would not surprise me if there may be other investigations based on the information we have received.”

Henderson said the different types of charges are due to the child’s age at the time the incidents occurred. The alleged child seduction occurred when the alleged victim was 16, while the alleged rape occurred within the last six months.

Investigators believe the majority of the abuse took place within the home. Henderson said the mother has been cooperative and immediately took action when she heard the allegations.

“I’ve never done anything even remotely illegal or immoral in my practice, or outside my practice for that matter,” Nolan told The Evening News and The Tribune prior to the Clark County charges being filed.

Authorities believe Nolan has since closed his practice and moved to Portsmouth, Ohio. His attorney, Stan Robison, did not immediately return a call for comment, but his assistant said they were given no warning charges were being filed this week.

Henderson said it is not uncommon for accusations of child abuse to come out of an unrelated investigation.

“Many times child victims are just waiting to be asked if they’ve been victimized by an adult,” Henderson said.

An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday. Once he is arrested or turns himself in, he will be held without bond pending a court hearing. Henderson said his Clark County charges and out-of-state residency could be used to request a higher bond.

Nolan faces nine to 34 years in prison.