'Fake doctor' teenager arrested on fraud charges in Florida

'Dr Love' granted bail after posting $8,000 bond

Malachi Love-Robinson, 19, was arrested on Monday after an ongoing investigation. (Facebook)

A teenager from Florida accused of posing as a doctor and treating patients at a fake surgery he had opened has been arrested on new theft and fraud charges.

Malachi Love-Robinson is accused of stealing between $20,000 and $100,000.

Reportedly dubbing himself ‘Dr Love’, he was arrested on Monday during a court hearing where his lawyer asked to be released from working with him, according to the Palm Beach Post.

The 19-year-old was originally arrested in February after being accused of practicing medicine without a license. He turned down a plea deal that would have seen him imprisoned for three years.

Officials say he called himself a certified naturopathic doctor and opened his own clinic in January.

Family and friends reported him to authorities, fearing any malpractice would “injure someone or their children.”

Mr Love-Robinson denies the claims and reportedly put the concerns down to jealousy now that he had become “successful". He said he had a doctorate from the Universal Life Church, which can be bought online for £29.95.

“I am a well rounded professional that treats, and cares for patients, using a system of practice that bases treatment of physiological functions and abnormal conditions on natural laws governing the human body,” a previous entry of his on a "find a doctor" website read.

"I utilise physiological, psychological, and mechanical methods, such as air, water, light, heat, earth, phototherapy, food and herb therapy, psychotherapy, electrotherapy, physiotherapy, minor and orificial surgery, mechanotherapy, naturopathic corrections and manipulation, and natural methods or modalities, together with natural medicines, natural processed foods, and herbs and nature’s remedies.”

Mr Love-Robinson posted an $8,000 bond over his latest arrest and was released from Palm Beach Bounty Jail the same day.

During the hearing, Judge Krista Marx granted his defence lawyer’s request to be taken off the case.

Leonard Feuer, who was representing Mr Love-Robinson for free, said he needed to be taken off the case over ethical issues he would not disclose.

Mr Feuer said: “I really wish him the best and hope that eventually he can put this all behind him.”

Court records regarding specifics of the new charges were not immediately available.