SANTA ROSA Doctor pleads not guilty in molestation case

A Santa Rosa surgeon being prosecuted on charges of attempted child molestation after authorities say he arranged a rendezvous with a 13-year-old Novato girl has pleaded not guilty in the case, Marin County court personnel said.

Raymond Severt, 53, had been scheduled to enter a plea next week but instead made a court appearance Tuesday. He's scheduled next to appear in Marin County Superior Court on April 24.

Police say Severt met the teenager through an online dating site for people 18 and older. They say he sent the girl sexually explicit texts and the two arranged to meet Feb. 11. The girl's mother found the texts and alerted Novato police, who arrested Severt that evening.

-- Mary Callahan

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