Florida prison psychologist James Y. Rossello barred from treating female patients

April 13, 2011

On or about March 28, 2011, the Florida Department of Health (DoH) placed emergency restrictions on prison psychiatrist James Yelton Rossello, barring him from treating female patients and requiring him to have a chaperone present when treating male patients.

This action follows a DoH investigation which concluded that Rosello abused his role as psychiatrist by making sexual advances toward female inmates while working at the Hernando County Jail between November 2009 and August 2010. 

The DoH’s document provides several examples, including: 

• While treating a 29-year-old patient, he implied that he would provide drugs for sex; 

• During a session with a 21-year-old patient, Rossello had her sit on his lap and later requested she undress for him; inappropriate prescribing and falsified medical records. 

DoH is now seeking a proceeding to determine future discipline and restrictions on Rossello’s license.

Source: Jeff Schmucker, “State: Sexual advances lead to jail psychiatrist’s restrictions,” Hernando Today, March 28, 2011.