Across Georgia

Anesthetized patients molested, police say

ATLANTA --- A metro Atlanta nurse anesthetist has been charged with molesting and sodomizing anesthetized patients in dental and medical offices, and police say the videotaped abuses could involve 100 or more victims.

Paul Patrick Serdula, 47, who worked in dental and medical offices across metro Atlanta, was arrested Monday night on child molestation and sodomy charges. The arrest came after authorities found several videos showing him fondling and groping patients who were under anesthesia at various offices, said Cobb County Police Officer Joe Hernandez.

Mr. Serdula, who is being held at the Cobb County Jail without bond, was first arrested Nov. 18 on three counts of unlawful surveillance after a woman found a tiny camera hidden in a bathroom stall at a Cobb County dental office. He was charged with unlawful surveillance and eavesdropping and released on bond.

He was re-arrested at about 10 p.m. Monday and charged with aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy and aggravated sexual battery, among other counts. At least one victim was a juvenile, Officer Hernandez said. He would not disclose the gender of the juvenile or the other victims.

Woman killed trying to cross Interstate 285

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. --- Police in Sandy Springs say a woman trying to cross Interstate 285 on foot Wednesday morning just north of Atlanta died after being struck by a tractor-trailer.

Police Lt. Steve Rose told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the woman was trying to cross the eastbound lanes about 3 a.m. near Riverside Drive.

Lt. Rose says a car police think belonged to the woman was found near a retaining wall nearby.

He said the woman, whose name has not been released, died at the scene.

Atlanta's police chief to leave at year's end

ATLANTA --- Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington will resign at the end of the year.

Chief Pennington was hired from the New Orleans Police Department in May 2002. He was credited with cleaning up that department, and more than 350 police officers were indicted, fired or disciplined for misconduct under his tenure.

He said Atlanta crime is down 25 percent, but the statistics haven't appeased a growing number of detractors. A series of brazen crimes this year has led to widespread criticism of Chief Pennington's leadership.