A Batavia chiropractor accused of filming patients secretly is believed to have acted alone, according to an update on the case Monday from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.

David Hanson, of Hanson Family Chiropractic, is believed to have recorded more than 180 patients while they were undressed or unclothed, according to a joint investigation between the Child Exploitation Unit of the state’s attorney’s office and Batavia police. The alleged victims’ ages ranged from young children to adults, and were mostly female, according to officials.

Many of the recordings appear to have been taken from a red light room used for red light and near-infrared light therapy, the State’s Attorney’s Office and Batavia police said in a press release last month. An investigation into the matter indicated that Hanson made the recordings using hidden cameras placed throughout the chiropractic office, officials said.

He was also found to be possessing and disseminating videos containing child sexual abuse material unrelated to his chiropractic practice, according to the release.

On Nov. 5, Hanson’s home, as well as his office at 1928 W. Wilson St. in Batavia, were searched, and he was arrested that night and charged with five felony counts of producing child pornography, three felony counts of disseminating child pornography, six felony counts of possessing child pornography and three felony counts of unauthorized video recording of a minor through or under the clothes, per the release.

Based on the information gathered thus far, investigators believe that Hanson acted alone, the Kane State’s Attorney’s Office said in a news release on Monday. At this point, there is no evidence showing that his family members or employees of the office were aware of or involved with the alleged criminal activity, according to the office.

Hanson’s attorney did not immediately return a request to his office for comment on Monday about the case.

Last week, a Chicago law firm filed suit against Hanson and his business in Kane County Circuit Court on behalf of patients, which include two women and two children from the same family spanning three generations. The complaint lays out 32 counts of alleged wrongdoing — eight counts alleged for each plaintiff — ranging from invasion of privacy and negligence to intentional infliction of emotional distress. The suit is seeking at least $50,000 in damages for each plaintiff.

Since Hanson was charged last month, the State’s Attorney’s Office has sought to identify potential victims of Hanson. The office on Monday said it so far has received more than 1,500 calls and emails to a dedicated tip line concerning the case. Investigators in the office’s Child Exploitation Unit have started identifying possible victims and will be reaching out to them in the coming weeks, officials said.

The State’s Attorney’s Office noted in Monday’s news release that those who have already reached out via the tip line do not need to reach out again, and indicated that it intends to share developments in the case when possible. The office has also created a webpage dedicated to providing the public with updates on the case: https://sao.kanecountyil.gov/Pages/Hanson.aspx.

Hanson remains in jail while his case is pending. He is next due in court on Jan. 8, 2026.

mmorrow@chicagotribune.com

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/batavia-chiropractor-case-updates/