‘Monster’ kid-molesting therapist has NJ license revoked

NEWTON — A behavioral therapist who pleaded guilty last year to molesting eight children who were his behavioral therapy patients has had his license permanently revoked.

Troy Leonard, 31, who admitted to touching eight children who were all under the age of 13 between 2011 and 2015, was sentenced to five years for those offenses and an additional five years for filing fraudulent insurance claims.

He could have faced as much as 110 years in prison if he had been found guilty at trial rather than take a plea deal, which spared having to have the young victims testify on the stand.

In a letter his attorney read at sentencing, Leonard called himself a "monster" who took advantage of his young patients.

Leonard had agreed to have his license temporarily surrendered in December 2015 after his arrest in November of that year, according to the Professional Counselor Examiners Committee of the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners.

The board said after reviewing Leonard's case it was determined he engaged in "gross malpractice" and "professional misconduct."

In addition to having his license permanently revoked, Leonard also agreed to stop practicing any form of professional counseling or risk facing a charge of unlicensed practice. This includes "psychotherapy, behavioral or cognitive therapy or any other type of mental health, counseling or psychological services in any setting."

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Contact reporter Adam Hochron at 609-359-5326 or Adam.Hochron@townsquaremedia.com