Thaddeus Tolbert, a 31-year-old therapist from Houston, made headlines as he faced charges of aggravated assault after a disturbing incident involving a patient he was dating.
The allegations against Tolbert include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and burglary, stemming from an incident that took place on April 29.
According to court documents, the patient reported that Tolbert attempted to strangle her four times during a visit to his office to end their relationship. The situation escalated when Tolbert produced a gun and cornered the woman, preventing her from leaving. Fortunately, she managed to escape when someone knocked on the door and distracted Tolbert.
Later that day, the woman returned home to find Tolbert waiting for her. Despite trying to evade him by taking her daughter to a neighbor’s house, Tolbert forced his way into her apartment and refused to leave. The nightmarish ordeal continued as Tolbert repeatedly choked and threatened her, demonstrating an alarming level of control and aggression.
As the situation intensified, Tolbert forced the woman to delete data from her phones, resulting in a physical altercation where he violently assaulted her. With her daughter present, the situation escalated further, with Tolbert brandishing a gun and causing physical harm to the woman’s face.
The woman’s distressing experiences were corroborated by witnesses, and she eventually sought help from law enforcement, reporting injuries consistent with the abuse she endured.
Despite denying the physical altercation, Tolbert’s actions have sparked outrage and raised concerns about the safety of patients in therapeutic settings. His attorney’s attempts to downplay the severity of the situation have been met with skepticism, given the harrowing account provided by the victim.
This disturbing incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals seeking help, and highlights the need for accountability and transparency within the mental health profession.