WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 17 (UPI) — Authorities in Florida said they arrested an 18-year-old accused of posing as a doctor and treating patients at his own clinic.
West Palm Beach police and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said Malachi Love-Robinson, 18, was arrested Tuesday after an investigation conducted alongside the Florida Department of Health culminated in an undercover female investigator being given an examination and medical advice at Love-Robinson’s clinic.
Love-Robinson, who describes himself as a certified naturopathic doctor, opened the New Birth Life Medical Center in January and lists his specialties as including gynecology, psychology and urgent care.
The clinic also offered family planning counseling.
“I’m hurt because of all of these allegations,” Love-Robinson told WPBF-TV while he was being arrested, “but this is not the first time I have been accused and I will pursue this, and when I do, you will be the first to know.”
Authorities confirmed Love-Robinson was the same teenager caught allegedly posing as a doctor for a month last year at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach. The hospital said Love-Robinson never came into contact with patients during his time posing as a physician, but at least one doctor at the facility said the teen was in the room during a pregnant woman’s examination.
Love-Robinson’s mother told police at the time that her son suffered from a medical condition and was not taking his medicine. They decided not to pursue charges at the time.
The Department of Health said Love-Robinson was issued a cease and desist order in October 2015, when he was found to be working as a massage therapist at a Boynton Beach Rehabilitation facility without a active license. The department said the latest investigation began after an anonymous tip about the New Birth Life clinic was received in January.
“Just because you saw a season of Grey’s Anatomy doesn’t mean you could practice medicine,” the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said on Twitter.
Love-Robinson was charged with practicing medicine without a license and was released Wednesday morning on $21,000 bail.
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