Newtown shooter’s former doctor faces sex charges

Paul Fox, 63, of Peaks Island, Maine, was charged Wednesday with sexually assaulting a female patient when he was a psychiatrist in Brookfield several years ago. Paul Fox, 63, of Peaks Island, Maine, was charged Wednesday with sexually assaulting a female patient when he was a psychiatrist in Brookfield several years ago. Photo: Contributed / Brookfield Police Department Photo: Contributed / Brookfield Police Department Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Newtown shooter’s former doctor faces sex charges 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

BROOKFIELD — A former local psychiatrist who once treated Sandy Hook Elementary School shooter Adam Lanza was charged this week with assaulting a female patient several years ago.

Paul L. Fox, 63, of Peaks Island, Maine, was brought to Connecticut on Wednesday and charged with three counts of second-degree sexual assault.

Police said the doctor, who practiced in Brookfield before giving up his state medical license in in 2013, had a sexual relationship with an adult client between October 2010 and October 2011.

The psychiatrist surrendered his license after the state Department of Public Health learned he was having an inappropriate relationship with a patient. Medical authorities cited “negligence on more than one occasion” and “possible boundary violations” between Fox and an unidentified client, according to a 2013 health department report.

Police said the woman at first decided not to pursue charges, but later changed her mind. Brookfield police began their investigation in 2014.

Fox was Lanza’s primary psychiatrist during his adolescence, according to State Police records. The psychiatrist stopped seeing Lanza about five years before the Newtown man killed 20 first-graders and six adults at the Sandy Hook school in 2012.

Fox was released after posting $100,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear May 3 in state Superior Court in Danbury.