Minor sues Geisinger, physician over alleged sexual assault

Megan Knowles -

Geisinger and a former Geisinger physician face charges after a minor in Lackawanna County, Pa., filed suit Thursday, alleging the physician sexually assaulted her during an educational program, according to a Times Leader report.

Abraham Joseph Layon, MD, sexually assaulted the minor, who was a member of the ICU Reader Group, a program he ran at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa., the suit claims.

The minor alleges Dr. Layon forced himself on her during a meeting Aug. 15. Dr. Layon "gnawed" on her ears and forced his tongue down her throat, according to the suit. Dr. Layon had also allegedly sent suggestive emails to her and other minors in the program before the alleged assault.

The lawsuit further claims that Geisinger was negligent for allowing the alleged assault to happen since the health system lacked oversight over the physician's program.

"We have not yet had an opportunity to review the complaint in detail; however, I can confirm that upon learning of this alleged incident we promptly ended Dr. Layon's employment at Geisinger," David Jolley, vice president of public affairs at Geisinger, said in a statement shared with Becker's.

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