Facing 19 years in prison after losing his pediatric dentistry practice on charges of Medicaid fraud and accusations of child abuse, Dr. Howard Schneider was deemed incompetent to stand trial Wednesday.
The decision, passed down by Judge Angela M. Cox, comes after a long and drawn out controversy concerning Schneider after several local parents came out accusing the former dentist of child abuse - in some cases unnecessarily ripping teeth out of their young children's mouths.
Schneider, 80, is charged with 11 counts of felony Medicaid fraud and one count of scheme to defraud. Prosecutors and investigators argued he sought Medicaid reimbursement for services on low income patients he never performed.
He closed his practice in May 2015 after many parents came forward with abuse accusations. His office used to be on University Boulevard.
Two doctors evaluated Schneider last year and argued he might suffer from dementia or something close to it. After that, Judge Cox ordered another doctor to evaluate Schneider.
Schneider is also facing civil cases brought by the parents of 120 alleged child victims. Their attorney, John Phillips, said last year the incompetencies Schneider's defense cited are things he'd exhibited for years, if not decades.
Phillips told First Coast News 104 of the civil cases he's brought have been settled amicably.
As for Schneider, he's living in St. Simons, Ga. after his Jacksonville home went into foreclosure.
The incompetency order suspends Schneider's criminal case, and further evaluations can be expected in the future. However, if the former dentist's incompetency continues for five years, the charges will be dismissed.
Phillips said multiple civil lawsuits against Schneider remain pending but will continue despite the court order.