Former child psychiatrist charged with sexual exploitation and assault

A former child psychiatrist who, until recently, had been working in the Kingston area, is facing multiple criminal charges related to alleged historical sex crimes. The RCMP have confirmed that they have charged Dr. Nasreen Roberts with Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Assault relating to alleged crimes against a minor in Alberta in the 1990s.

Constable Chantelle Kelly, a Media Relations Officer with the RCMP in Alberta, confirmed that Dr. Roberts is facing two charges and that the investigation is continuing. A publication ban has been placed on parts of the court case as the victim was a minor and the charges are of a sexual nature.

According to records from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), which regulates the practice of medicine in Ontario, Dr. Roberts relinquished her membership and authorization to practice in the Province on January 30, 2021. CPSO records also show that the crimes, alleged to have occurred between Sept 1, 1993, and August 1, 1994, at or near Banff, Alberta, have been noted against her professional record. According to those same records, Dr. Roberts’ certificate of registration was expired at the time of the alleged crimes, from Apr. 30, 1992 until Aug. 1, 1998, at which time the CPSO issued her an Academic Practice Certificate.

Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) and Queen’s University, with whom Dr. Roberts had been employed until recently, released a joint statement on Thursday, May 6, 2021. “We are aware of charges against Dr. Nasreen Roberts that date back to alleged events in the early 1990s in Alberta, which is posted publicly on the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPSO) website,” read the statement. “We take allegations of any criminal behaviour from individuals associated with KHSC and Queen’s very seriously. Our first priority is always the safety of our patients, families, learners, employees and faculty members. Once informed of the allegation, KHSC conducted a confidential internal review. We are not aware of any concerns raised with KHSC or Queen’s during Dr. Robert’s time at both institutions.” According to the release, Dr. Roberts recently retired from both KHSC and Queen’s University. 

Roberts is scheduled to appear in court again on October 26th, in Calgary, Alberta.