Lawsuit targets former pediatrician at Children's

March 31, 2008 04:17 PM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By David Abel
GLOBE STAFF

A renowned pediatrician and best-selling author who served for 14 years as chief of ambulatory pediatrics at Children's Hospital Boston allegedly sexually abused at least seven children in his care, according to a lawsuit filed in Suffolk Superior court today.

The lawsuit, filed by one unnamed plaintiff, alleges Dr. Melvin D. Levine “sexually assaulted, battered, and abused” him between 1980 and 1985.

“Levine, during his treatment sessions, under the guise of performing repeated but unnecessary physical examinations, sexually assaulted John No. 5, including numerous acts of genital fondling, masturbation, and other attempted and threatened acts of assault,” the lawsuit alleges.

In a statement, Levine’s Boston lawyer Edward Mahoney said the doctor is innocent.

“Dr. Mel Levine has provided pediatric care to more than 15,000 children over 40 years and categorically denies that he has ever been abusive in any way toward any patient,” Mahoney said. “He adamantly denies these claims. Dr. Levine is distressed about the distorted or misinterpreted memories from decades past, and questions the motivations. He prefers not to participate further in counsel’s efforts to obtain free advertising for his legal practice.”

In a separate statement, officials at Children’s Hospital said Levine worked there between 1971 and 1985, specializing in children with developmental and educational issues.

“This work led to Dr. Levine developing a national reputation as an expert in these fields,” according to the statement.

Hospital officials said they “never had any complaint from any patient or parent of any patient suggesting inappropriate conduct of any nature by Dr. Levine.”

They added: “Children’s Hospital’s most important goal is to protect children’s health and promote their well being. Our staff is trained and experienced in detecting abuse and mistreatment of children. Such behavior, if identified, is treated with the utmost seriousness and addressed immediately."

Levine, who trained as a resident at the hospital starting in 1965, went on to practice at the University of North Carolina Medical Center.