Preliminary Hearing Delayed for Psychiatrist Accused of Fondling Patients

The preliminary hearing for a Doylestown Borough psychiatrist who has been charged with indecent assault has been moved from Feb. 7 to March 18.

According to information from the Bucks County District Attorney’s office, Basem Shlewiet, 42, was arrested Thursday for allegedly touching three young women during treatment.

Doylestown Borough Police say they received reports from three different young women who alleged they had been “touched in a criminal manner” by Shlewiet during treatment. Officials investigated Shlewiet from April to December 2013, according to information from the District Attorney.

The women were 14, 17 and 22 at the time of the alleged crimes.

The Intelligencer reported reported that two of the victims told authorities that Shlewiet touched their breasts. The third victim, who was 17, told authorities he touched her vaginal area, according to the Intelligencer report. 

Shlewiet is charged with two counts of Unlawful Contact with a Minor, two counts of Corruption of Minors and seven counts of Indecent Assault. He is being held at Bucks County prison in lieu of 10 percent of $250,000 bail.