Florida teen charged with imitating a medical doctor

Malachi Love-Robinson had all the trappings of a doctor with a medical practice — an office, a lab coat and stethoscope. What he didn’t have, authorities say, was a medical licence — few 18-year-olds do.

The Florida teen has been charged with practising medicine without a licence, and with theft, after he allegedly performed an exam on an undercover agent and took $3,500 from an 86-year-old woman seeking treatment for stomach pain.

He’s also accused of stealing three cheques from her that he cashed for $2,800.

Love-Robinson was released on $21,000 bail, one day after his arrest. Love-Robinson called a news conference, but would only say that his attorneys were working to resolve the charges and that he hoped the community would pray for him.

He declined to answer questions.

According to Palm Beach County sheriff’s reports, an undercover agent went to Love-Robinson’s office, The New Birth New Life Medical Center, on Tuesday.

Love-Robinson was wearing a white lab coat, with a stethoscope draped over his neck.

The agent told him that she was suffering from a sore throat, lethargy, and sneezing.

He took her temperature and used the stethoscope to check her lungs and heart, and told her she was suffering from allergies and should take an over-the-counter medication.

He told her he was a doctor of homeopathic medicine.