Columbia OB-GYN Jailed After Nearly 30 Years of Molestation, Sexual Abuse Allegations

Former gynecologist Robert Hadden has had his bail revoked and been sent to jail to await sentencing after being convicted last week of luring women over state lines to sexual abuse them, Molly Crane-Newman reports for The Daily News. A Manhattan federal judge heard testimony from nine victims in court and received letters from 43 more alleged victims before remanding him to jail. Over 350 former patients have come forward and accused Hadden of victimizing them throughout his 30-year career, and the hospitals involved (New York-Presbyterian and Columbia University Irving) have paid out $236 million in settlements.

The case and one of Hadden’s victims, Marissa Hoechstetter, played a pivotal role in lobbying that led to the passage of New York’s Adult Survivors Act which has opened a statutory window for victims of adult sexual abuse crimes through Nov 24, 2023.  Hadden will be sentenced in April.