WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Police say a teenager in Florida was "playing doctor" inside a real medical facility. The impostor tried to look the part--and staff members say he even got inside an exam room.
The teen posing as a doctor apparently walked the halls of Saint Mary’s medical center in West Palm Beach. Police say he wore a white coat with a Saint Mary’s logo and anesthesiology embroidered on the front.
"I think it's just crazy. I can't believe he got away with it for a month," said Stacy Morales.
The teen was pretending to be a real-life Doogie Howser, but this teen, was no prodigy--just a phony. He was busted while wearing a stethoscope around his neck and a mask on his face. He was in an examination room with a patient.
"He presented himself with a patient of our practice and introduced himself as Dr. Robinson," said Dr. Sebastian Kent, an OB/GYN with St. Mary’s Medical Center.
The police report states that according to multiple nurses and Dr. Kent, who is the real 'doctor' inside the OB/GYN office, the fake doctor was inside the examination room with the patient when Dr. Kent conducted an exam.
"The first thing I thought was I am getting, I am really getting old because these young doctors look younger every year," Kent said.
The real doctor called security, who called police. It appears personnel, even security guards around the hospital had seen him for weeks, and believed he was indeed someone official.
"I saw him outside our office building with policemen surrounding him, I believe they had him in handcuffs--there was quite a commotion," Kent said.
The hospital released this statement:
“The individual never had contact with any hospital patients and did not gain access to any patient care areas of the hospital at any time. The hospital immediately notified local authorities, who took the individual into custody, and we are cooperating with their ongoing investigation.”
The teen's mom responded to the scene telling police that her son has an undisclosed illness and he has not been taking his medication. Both police and the hospital have decided not to charge the teen.
