Police in south suburban Hazel Crest arrested a family practice physician at his office on Monday, launching an investigation after a patient alleged that he exposed himself during an examination.
Dr. Sheldon Levine, 75, has run an independent practice in the 17600 block of South Kedzie Ave in Hazel Crest for 43 years, according to the Hazel Crest Police Department. On Monday, he was taken into custody and charged with battery and public indecency, both misdemeanors.
Last week, a 51-year-old patient of Dr. Levine’s told them she felt uncomfortable as he examined her at his office, according to police. In a second appointment, he allegedly went further and even exposed himself, police said in a release, then tried to stop her from leaving and asked her not to tell anyone about his actions.
“He actually got to the point where she alleged that he actually exposed himself to her during that second examination, which obviously showed her that it was going beyond what it should have been," Hazel Crest Police Chief Mitchell Davis said of the allegations. "If they are in fact true, it is a betrayal of trust.”
Police said a similar incident allegedly occurred in February, when a 23-year-old patient accused Dr. Levine of “aggressive sexual behavior” during an exam at his office.
"He thought that she was pretty and he wishes that she was older, and she alleges that he actually tries to become intimate with her inside his doctor’s office," Davis said of that accusation.
Levine was not charged in that incident, because an attorney representing both the doctor and the victim told police that she would not be filing charges. In the most recent case, Levine posted bond and was released from custody. He was scheduled to appear in the Markham Courthouse on October 31.
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Patients of Dr. Levine expressed shock at the allegations on Tuesday at his office, where he had returned to practice.
"It’s very surprising. I was really stunned when you told me," a patient named Tonya said. “ haven’t had any issues with him, he’s never been inappropriate with my daughter," she added.
“To hear this on the day that I have an appointment for my son? It’s kind of crazy,” new patient Shawndrea Turner said.
Hazel Crest police said they have no record of any previous complaints, but they are now investigating if there have been other instances of abuse at Levine's office.
"If there are other victims out there, if there are other people that have come in contact with this doctor and he’s had inappropriate contact with them, we need to know," Davis said.
Authorities asked that anyone that has had similar encounters with Dr. Levine contact Hazel Crest detectives at (708) 335-9640.
