Psychologist Daniel Davenport Admits He Had Sex with Teen Former Patient

June 14, 2018

In a document filed on February 16, 2018 with the New Jersey State Board of Psychological Examiners ("Board"), psychologist Daniel Davenport admitted that in 2014, he took a former patient to small bed and breakfast in Pennsylvania and enaged in "sexual contact" with her for her 18th birthday.

He further admitted that he'd remained involved with the girl for six months.

These admissions were in response to an Amended Complaint that the Board filed against Davenport, which contained the following allegations: 

• The patient began therapy with Davenport in May 2013, when she was a month shy of her 17th birthday.
• The patient had a history of anorexia and bulimia since age 12.
• In September 2013, the patient, upset about a fight with a friend, called Davenport, who left a Philadelphia Eagles game he was attending and met the girl in the parking lot of a Philadelphia-area sports bar, where they talked for about an hour inside his car.
• The patient's eating disorders worsened despite her weekly sessions with Davenport. Thus, he referred her to an intensive outpatient treatment program (IOP) and advised her he was terminating the therapist-patient relationship because "he wanted to be there for her more than he could as a therapist."
• Davenport and the now former patient texted everyday while she was at the IOP and Davenport would see her between breaks with clients. 
• Davenport would talk with the girl about how things were going for her and initiated physical closeness by sitting next to her, having her snuggle up next to him and lie on top of him. 
• Davenport kissed the girl for the first time, on the mouth, in March 2014, when shel was 17.
• Davenport then invited the girl to his office once a week, during which they would kiss and he would perform oral sex on her.
• Davenport engaged in sexual intercourse with the girl in early may 2014, several weeks before her 18th birthday.
• Davenport frequenly provided the girl with alcohol and they smoked marijuana together. 
• Davenport continued to meet with the girl about once a week through the summer and fall of 2014, in motel rooms or his office, and he would bring alcohol. 
• As a result of the relationship, the girl began drinking heavily and contemplating suicide.
• In October 2014, the girl attended and out-of-state inpatient mental helath and substance abuse program. She flew home in early 2015. Davenport picked her up from airport, obtained alcohol, and took her to a motel room, where they engaged in intercourse. They then resumed seeing eachother once a week, during which they drank alcohol and have sex. 
• In March 2015, the girl attended another inpatient rehabilitation program to address her escalating alcohol problem. During her stay there, she attempted to end her relationship with Davenport via telephone. 
• During a third inpatient rehab, the girl wrote Davenport a letter. He responded by telling her that he could no longer be in a relationship with her anymore because of her drinking problem. 

An earlier Complaint issued by the Board states that Davenport ended the relationship with the former patient when it was discovered by his wife. 

The Board's document indicates that Davenport was selective in his testimony in response to the Board's inquiry. For example, he admitted that when the girl returned from and out-of-state rehab in January 2015, that he "took the afternoon off and went and got her from the airport and drove her home," leaving out the information about purchasing alcohol and a hotel room and engaging in sexual intercourse with the girl. There are several instances of this selective testimony.

The Board's document further states that Davenport has engaged in boundary violations with clients other than the aforrementioned girl: 

• He attended the high school graduation of a female patient.
• He arranged with a patient to employ his nephew to assist the patient in a residential move.

With its Complaint, the Board is seeking to suspend or revoke Davenport's licensed following a hearing. 

Source: In the Matter of the Suspension or Revocation of the LIcense of Daniel Davenport, Psy.D, License No. 35S10010100, First Amended Complaint, New Jersey State Board of Psychological Examiners, November 14, 2017 ; Answers to First Amended Complaint, February 16, 2018; and Revised Complaint, February 15, 2017.