Child therapist arrested on felony charges | News

SHELDON — A 75-year-old Sheldon-based child therapist has been arrested for second-degree sexual abuse; lascivious acts with a child – caressing or touching; and sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist.

Martin “Marty” William Wallace was arrested Friday, May 31, on O’Brien County warrants for the three criminal charges.

Wallace lives in Sibley and operates Therapies Inc. in downtown Sheldon. Wallace identifies himself as a licensed mental health counselor and registered play therapist, according to the Facebook Therapies website.

The arrest stemmed from a 13-year-old male reporting that Wallace had inappropriate contact with him at least three times in the past nine months, according to court documents filed by the Sheldon Police Department.

The first incident was described as Wallace pulling the child's pants and underwear down to the child's knees, leaving the child's genitals exposed.

The child said that during another visit, Wallace laid on top of him and placed a vibrating toothbrush down the child's pants. Wallace then allegedly touched the child's genitals with the toothbrush.

In the third separate incident, the child described Wallace kissing her on the lips.

Multiple search warrants were executed at Wallace's office and evidence – including a vibrating electric toothbrush – corroborating the child's allegations was found.

Wallace, in an interview with law enforcement, denied having video cameras recording the sessions.

Several cameras, including a hidden magnetic camera, were located during the execution of the search warrants.

Warrants for Wallace's arrest were issued the same day as his arrest.

Wallace was released Saturday, June 1, from the O'Brien County Jail in Primghar after posting $40,000 secured bond.

A preliminary hearing has been set for Friday, June 21 at 2 p.m., in O'Brien County District Court in Primghar.