A Southfield massage therapist has entered a guilty plea to a charge of aggravated assault stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct during a massage session. Dana Piper, 63, faced accusations by a client of inappropriate contact during a trauma massage therapy appointment, as reported by the Kent County Sheriff's Office. The incident took place in Grand Rapids Township, where the client reported being touched in a manner inconsistent with professional massage therapy practices.
During the investigation that followed, it was determined that Piper allegedly removed a sheet from the victim without necessity and proceeded to inappropriately touch them. "This case is an example of how reports from victims are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated to ensure accountability and community safety," the Kent County Sheriff's Office said in a statement obtained by FOX 2 Detroit. Piper also recommended "pelvic floor therapy," which is a treatment that the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has explicitly stated is not within the scope of practice for massage therapists.
Initially charged with criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree, Piper ultimately pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of aggravated assault in last month. According to a report by WZZM 13, this charge could possibly result in a sentence of up to a year in jail. As the legal process unfolds, Piper is scheduled to be sentenced in November.
