NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. -- A psychotherapist accused of sex crimes at a Virginia children’s hospital appeared in New Kent County Circuit Court for a status hearing Monday morning.
The judge continued the hearing until March 9 because Herschel “Mickey” Harden had not officially retained an attorney.
While in court, Harden said he has verbally hired one but should have it set by next week.
During the March 9 hearing, Harden will have to decide whether he wants a jury or bench trial and a trial date will be set.
Harden has been charged with two counts of object sexual penetration by force. The 72-year-old was a psychotherapist at Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents.
Investigators say the crimes happened in 2018 and 2019, and the Virginia Attorney General’s office confirms that the victim was a former female patient at the New Kent hospital.
CBS 6 caught up with Harden outside the courthouse Monday. He did not answer CBS 6’s request for a comment. Harden remains free on bond.
CBS 6 has been looking into complaints regarding Cumberland Hospital for the last six months. CBS 6 first reported that Virginia State Police have been investigating multiple allegations of abuse and neglect at Cumberland Hospital since 2017.
The Attorney General’s office is asking anyone with information about the allegations against Harden, or other allegations at Cumberland Hospital, to contact the Virginia State Police’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations at (804) 537-6788.
