A recent press release from the Indian River County Sheriff's Office and a subsequent news conference have brought to light the arrest of Dr. Christopher David Olenek, a Vero Beach urgent care physician. Dr. Olenek, who works at East Side Urgent Care, faces a battery charge following allegations of inappropriate conduct towards a woman who was shadowing him. According to NBC Miami, Sheriff Eric Flowers explained that Dr. Olenek is accused of having the woman remove her shirt under the guise of demonstrating the use of an EKG machine and subsequently exposing her by removing her coverup.
Dr. Olenek's run-ins with allegations of impropriety are not isolated. Dating back to 2011, a mix of patients and co-workers accused him, making inappropriate comments, touching them in an unsuitable manner, or even kissing them. Sheriff Flowers, during the conference, expressed concern over what he termed a "serious pattern of bad behavior." While previous incidents did not lead to charges due to a lack of cooperation from the victims or insufficient evidence, the sheriff's office indicated that they are still investigating for more possible victims. Despite these troubling allegations, records show that Olenek has bonded out of jail, denying any wrongdoing.
In a proactive response to the situation, the Sheriff’s Office has urged others who may have had similar encounters with Dr. Olenek to come forward. Their statement, as posted on Facebook, encourages individuals to contact its Victim Services Unit for support and action. "Our priority remains the safety and well-being of everyone in our community," said Sheriff Flowers. The unit is readily available for those who wish to provide information related to the investigation or believe they may have been victimized.
Amidst the gravity of these charges, Dr. Olenek maintains his innocence and will confront these allegations in court. For anyone seeking assistance or looking to provide information regarding the ongoing investigation, the Indian River County Sheriff's Office Victim Services Unit can be reached at (772) 978-6255.
