In a shocking turn of events, Kansas City chiropractor, David B. Clark, dies three months after being charged for sexually abusing numerous Amish patients for over four decades.
Clark has been accused of sexually abusing women, under the pretense of routine pelvic and breast exams, at his clinic, Health +Plus, in Oak Grove. According to an article on the Kansas City Star, the case was investigated by the FBI, who found evidence, including a draft for an unsavory book about a doctor’s sexual pleasure from examining female patients. Clark allegedly chose to target Amish women as his victims because they were not used to modern medicine. In doing this, he left behind a string of passionate victims, who can now pursue justice in the civil court, even after his death, with the help of law firm Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe.
Personal Injury Attorney Jill Kantazar, of Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe, is representing two women in a civil case against Clark and his clinic. Kanatzar expressed her clients’ profound disappointment, stating that they “are extremely disappointed that the criminal case against David Clark can no longer move forward”. The 70-year-old practitioner, who had been free on bond since September, was scheduled to go to trial on six felony sex crimes.
The survivors, represented by Kantazar and the law firm Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe, remain determined to pursue the civil case and hold David Clark and his clinic accountable, irrespective of his death. Although they are disappointed that the criminal case cannot move forward, “They are grateful to the FBI and the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for investigating and criminally charging Clark with the sexual abuse he committed,” Kantazar said in a press release to The Star.
Kantazar stressed that her clients and other victims still have a channel through the civil court to seek justice for the trauma Clark caused over many years. She affirmed their commitment to pursuing the case aggressively, regardless of the unexpected turn of events, asserting, “We intend to continue to vigorously pursue this case and hold David Clark and his clinic responsible, in spite of his death”. This unfortunate turn of events raises critical questions about the future pursuit of justice for the reported decades-long abuse and underscores the importance of supporting survivors in their quest for accountability and healing.
To all women who have experienced such trauma: You are not by yourself, and your opinion and story matters. Let us come together to bring attention, break the silence, and carry on the struggle for justice. Regardless of the challenges, your fight for justice is legitimate, and there are people, such as Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe, that will support you on this difficult journey.