West Hempstead Medical nurse practitioner Paul Igbide charged with sexual abuse of 19-year-old patient, police say

A nurse practitioner from East Meadow has been arrested and charged with sexual abuse for "multiple" incidents involving a 19-year-old female patient in his care, police said Friday.

Nassau County police said Paul Igbide, 52, was arrested Thursday and charged with second-degree sexual abuse and two counts of sexual misconduct. Court records show that Igbide entered a plea of not guilty at arraignment Thursday in First District Court, and that Judge Lisa Petrocelli issued a temporary order of protection in the case. Igbide was released without bail.

Police said that Igbide was employed as a nurse practitioner at West Hempstead Medical at 354 Hempstead Ave. in West Hempstead, when, beginning last Nov. 23, he had "inappropriate contact" with the female victim on "multiple occasions."

Police said the incidents were later reported by a family member, but did not detail when that occurred, saying only that the arrest was made following "a thorough investigation."

The attorney of record for Igbide did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson for West Hempstead Medical could not immediately be reached for comment and a voicemail recording said the office was closed Friday.

Police are asking anyone who believes they may be a victim of Igbide to call 911 or contact the Special Victims Squad at 516-573-4022. All calls will remain confidential.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”