Sex abuse charges trail Mel Levine, expert on learning disabilities
August 6th, 2008
From the New York Times:
Pediatrician Melvin D. Levine, author of the bestseller “A Mind at a Time” and other books about children with learning disabilities, has been accused of sexually abusing boys in his care. While there are no criminal charges against Levine, left, five lawsuits have been brought and accusations have been made on behalf of another 43 male patients.
Dr. Levine vehemently denies both the accusations and ever sexually touching a patient. He declined to be interviewed for the Times article, which recounts the chronology of the accusations and interviews an accuser who asks that his name not be published.
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November 4th, 2010 at 9:00 am
It is too easy to make accusations and ruin a career. I hope that Dr. Mel Levine knows that his works and findings about learning differences are well respected and most of us can see through these allegations. I still glean from his works as I know many professionals do. We have lost a brilliant mind to help with our children. Thank you Dr. Levine and your family for the sacrifices you have made.
January 20th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Ceasing your Medical Licence is not synonymous with such allegations. Dr. Levine, a well respected scholar, does not need a Medical license to pay “his bills.” Rather, he is a true science/practioner who has contributed inmensely to the field of learning disabilities. You do not leave Harvard Medical to go anywhere else in the world…just because you leave Harvard Medical. Dr. Levine left a world renowned medical school…because he just did not care about the bureaucracy! Such allegations are just troublesome. That is that why when working with children, I leave my door open or have an adult/parent present. My prayers go to Dr. Levine’s family and patients. Dr. Levine, your best years are ahead of you. Children need you!
Semper Fi
March 5th, 2009 at 11:39 am
In response to John’s email: 50 victims? Inflation has hit the gas pumps and other places but not in this area. All published articles state the number as 5 suits. Durso may have had a multitude of calls about the case but only 5 people have accused him.
The News and Observer article says that he left to “now devote himself to a new program, which trains parents to help their learning disabled children.”
Also, these are all “accusations”! None of them proved as being true.
We live in a society where anyone can cast stones anonymously and press charges anonymously while the accused is chopped up and spit out to media and public ridicule with his name and entire life out there for everyone to see.
No matter who the person is that is being accused of the wrongdoing, he or she is due their “day in court” to vindicate themselves.
January 31st, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Er, he’s no longer in charge of the research foundation. In November he was forced out of the foundation he created because of the sex abuse investigation…..over 50 victims.. Hm, none of them know each other, from different parts of the country and yet all have shockingly similar stories.
Sorry, I have never ever known a doctor to voluntarily give up his or her license. If he was not guilty he would have fought tooth and nail.
Can’t be that pragmatic if he knew what he was doing. Sounds dangerous, not pragmatic.
[Editor's note: As of Feb. 2, 2009, All Kinds of Minds does not include Mel Levine's name on its lists of trustees and staff members.]
January 18th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
I don’t think his giving up medical licensure is an admission of guilt. It may be a way to save a lot of scrutiny, trial and misery for his family.
At the end of the day, with a long trial and that number of complaints, he’s still going to be treated as guilty regardless of being proven innocent. People will read a not guilty verdict as “he really did it or he may have done it, there just wasn’t enough proof or he had enough money to get out of it.”
He would never have a successful direct care practice again anyway. He’s pragmatic. He knows that. The fact is, he can be more productive and contributory to kids with learning disabilities by continuing to manage the research center and make enhancements to his testing instruments.
All around a sad situation … whether there is any truth or not.
August 25th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Yes, he may have “vehemently denied” the charges, but he voluntarily gave up his medical license. I don’t know that any other doctor who was innocent would have done so.