Facing 19 years in prison after losing his pediatric dentistry practice on charges of Medicaid fraud and accusations of child abuse, Howard Schneider was deemed incompetent for trial Wednesday, according to Times-Union news partner First Coast News.

The decision, passed down by Judge Angela Cox, comes after a long and drawn-out controversy concerning Schneider after several local parents came out accusing the former dentist of child abuse — in some cases unnecessarily ripping teeth out of their young children’s mouths.

Schneider, 79, is charged with 11 counts of Medicaid fraud and one count of scheme to defraud. Prosecutors and investigators argued he sought Medicaid reimbursement for services on low-income patients he never performed.

He closed his practice in May 2015 after many parents came forward with abuse accusations. His office used to be on University Boulevard South.

Two doctors evaluated Schneider last year and argued he might suffer from dementia or something close to it. After that, Cox ordered another doctor to evaluate Schneider.

Schneider is also facing civil cases brought by the parents of dozens of children who may have been victims. Attorney John Phillips, who said his office is representing 131 patients, said last year the incompetencies Schneider’s defense cited are things he’d exhibited for years, if not decades.

"They have been waiting to take Dr. Schneider’s statement and get answers," Phillips said. "Today they were denied that right. All of his victims — over the course of decades of abuse — were denied that right, as he was apparently declared incompetent to stand trial.

"This does not mean he was found not guilty or that the criminal justice system won’t be monitoring him, but every victim I have spoken to has been in tears or outrage because they want Dr. Schneider to answer for his abuse, fraud and deceit," he continued.

Phillips said 104 of the civil cases he’s brought have been settled amicably, while 27 others remain.

He also highlighted some of the explanations of Florida law on the matter:

"A defendant is incompetent to proceed within the meaning of this chapter if the defendant does not have sufficient present ability to consult with her or his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding or if the defendant has no rational, as well as factual, understanding of the proceedings against her or him. … If competency is restored, defendants return to court and criminal case proceedings resume."

As for Schneider, he’s living in St. Simons, Ga., after his Jacksonville home went into foreclosure.

The Times-Union contributed to this article.