Dive Brief:
- Malachi Love-Robinson, an 18-year-old South Floridian, was arrested after authorities said he was operating an illegal medical office and posing as a physician. He is also accused of stealing three checks from a patient in the amount of $2,800 and taking almost $3,500 from an elderly woman he supposedly treated for stomach pain, as reported by STAT News.
- Earlier this week, the teenager performed a physical exam on an undercover agent and offered medical advice.
- The Florida Department of Health had previously investigated Love-Robinson last October and cited him with practicing medicine without a license.
Dive Insight:
According to Fox News, the teen was released from jail on $21,000 bond on charges of practicing medicine without a license, fraud and grand theft. An article in the Palm Beach Post said a cease-and-desist order showed he had been operating his illegal medical office since Jan. 26. He also received a separate cease-and-desist order last October for allegedly operating another illegal practice in Boynton Beach, Florida.
Love-Robinson had set up a profile on Health Grades, a website that provides physician information, stating he used psychotherapy, minor surgery and natural medicines as treatments. He also claimed to accept several major insurances and to have a PhD. However, the page is no longer up on the website.