San Antonio occupational therapist Lewis Trudell Barber was arrested and charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, following an investigation sparked by a routine clinic visit for a child’s itching, according to arrest records released in August 2026. The victim, who has autism, disclosed the alleged abuse to her doctor in September 2024 after years of in-home therapy sessions that began when she was just four years old.
The Arrest and Charges Against Lewis Trudell Barber
Lewis Trudell Barber, 56, was taken into custody on August 10, 2026, and booked into the Bexar County jail. According to booking records cited by KSAT, he faces a felony charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14. The San Antonio Police Department launched the criminal investigation after a medical professional reported disclosures made by the young patient during an examination for a skin condition.
The arrest affidavit reveals that the victim was 12 years old when she detailed the abuse to her physician in September 2024. The doctor immediately contacted Child Protective Services, setting off a multi-agency inquiry that culminated in Barber’s arrest nearly two years later. Investigators state that the abuse occurred at multiple locations, including the victim’s home and the home of a relative, during outpatient therapy visits.
An Eight-Year Professional Relationship
The accused therapist maintained a long tenure with the victim’s family. According to court records, Barber had provided occupational therapy to the child since she was four years old, spanning approximately eight years. Their professional relationship continued until late 2024, with the victim’s final therapy session taking place on September 3, 2024—days before she disclosed the abuse to her doctor.
During the period of the alleged offenses, Barber was employed by Aveanna Healthcare, where he provided outpatient therapy services to pediatric patients. KSAT reported reaching out to Aveanna Healthcare for comment regarding the supervision and employment history of the therapist. State and national regulatory bodies moved swiftly once the allegations surfaced; records from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy show that Barber’s professional certification was suspended on July 26, 2025.
Law enforcement officials encourage anyone with additional information regarding Lewis Trudell Barber or his practice history with Aveanna Healthcare to contact the San Antonio Police Department. As the judicial process moves forward in Bexar County, the case underscores the critical importance of medical vigilance in recognizing signs of abuse during routine pediatric examinations.
