By Anna Gustafson
A psychiatrist with offices in Rego Park faces up to one year behind bars after being convicted of inappropriately touching a 16−year−old female patient during therapy, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said last week.
Raj Danthuluri, 40, of Hicksville, L.I., was convicted Dec. 22 of endangering the welfare of a child and third−degree sexual abuse following a three−day bench trial before acting Queens Supreme Court Justice Barry Kron.
Danthuluri, who still maintains professional offices at 64−33 99th St. in Rego Park, will be sentenced Feb. 13.
“As a medical doctor and therapist, the defendant must have been aware of how harmful his actions would be to his young patient,” Brown said in a statement. “A doctor’s office should always be a safe place for a patient, free of sexual predators — especially those treating children.”
Danthuluri’s attorney, Joseph Hanshe, said he plans to appeal the decision.
“My client is a family man, he has a wife and children, and he’s very upset by this,” Hanshe said.
Danthuluri touched the 16−year−old female client’s breast during a psychiatric consultation in his private office on May 14, 2007, Brown said. During another appointment with the same patient on July 23, 2007, Danthuluri touched her breasts again, according to the district attorney.
After the abuse came to light when the patient told her mother, an investigation was conducted by NYPD Detective Daniel Howard.
Brown noted that the matter will be referred to the state Department of Health’s Office of Professional Medical Conduct for a review of Danthuluri’s medical license.
The Rego Park psychiatrist will be required to register as a sex offender and contribute his DNA to the state’s DNA databank.
Hanshe said Danthuluri touched the teen’s breasts during a physical examination for which he received written consent from the girl’s mother.
“The girl said she had severe chest pains and shortness of breath, and the doctor said he would not prescribe her anything until he gave her a physical examination,” Henshe said. “That’s when he got the written consent from the mother. … He has lost every hospital he has privilege in; they terminated him from their employment. He hasn’t lost his license, but it’s outrageous. He has no way to make money for his family.”
Reach reporter Anna Gustafson by e−mail at agustafson@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 174.
