A Beaver County doctor will be summoned to court on a charge of indecent assault against one of his patients.

A 24-year-old woman who sought help with a thyroid condition told police that Dr. Robert C. Knapp, 56, straddled her back on the examination table and gave her a massage at his Bridgewater office during a visit there July 9.

The treatment had been used in previous visits to relieve her problem, according to a police affidavit that supports the assault charge.

But, the woman told police, usually she would be placed on her side. On July 9, her last visit to Dr. Knapp, he had her lying face down, climbed onto the examination table, and straddled her back while giving the massage.

Afterward, the woman said she then sat in a chair while Dr. Knapp reviewed his findings with her. When she stood, she said he embraced her and squeezed her buttocks.

The woman said the doctor tried to kiss her as well. She put up a hand and said, "No kiss," the affidavit said.

Once rebuffed, the doctor tried again with the woman resisting his advance, the affidavit said, causing Dr. Knapp to comment, "You won't catch anything."

Bridgewater police Chief Douglas Adams said the second-degree misdemeanor charge has been filed, and Dr. Knapp will receive a summons in the mail for a preliminary hearing yet to be scheduled.

Pending the outcome, Dr. Knapp will continue to practice in Bridgewater, Chief Adams said.

Dr. Knapp had no comment when contacted this afternoon.

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