A Toledo surgical resident is facing a series of serious criminal charges and has had his medical license suspended after investigators say he used his estranged wife’s identity to illegally obtain abortion drugs for his girlfriend, then forced her to ingest them against her will.
According to records from the State Medical Board of Ohio, Hassan-James Abbas, M.D., had his medical license suspended on Nov. 5. A spokesperson for the University of Toledo confirmed that Abbas, who was serving as a surgical resident, was placed on administrative leave the same day.
A Lucas County Grand Jury has indicted Abbas on multiple counts, including abduction, tampering with evidence, disrupting public services, unlawful distribution of an abortion-inducing drug, identity fraud, and deception to obtain a dangerous drug.
The medical board’s notice outlines a disturbing timeline. Abbas began a sexual relationship with a woman identified only as “patient 1” after separating from his wife in October 2024. In December, the girlfriend told him she was pregnant. While she did not want an abortion, the board says Abbas insisted on one.
The day after learning of the pregnancy, Abbas allegedly ordered prescription abortion medication from an out-of-state provider, using his estranged wife’s information without her knowledge or consent. He paid for the drugs with his own credit card.
Several days later, after the medication arrived, the girlfriend stayed overnight at Abbas’ home. According to the board, she awoke to find Abbas on top of her, holding her down and forcing crushed powder inside her bottom lip with his fingers. She struggled free and ran to the kitchen to call 911, but Abbas allegedly grabbed the phone and hung up before she could get help. She later went to a hospital, where she was documented as an assault victim.
During an interview with medical board staff, Abbas admitted to most of the allegations, including obtaining the drugs under his wife’s name and administering the crushed pills. However, he claimed the girlfriend had agreed to take the medication voluntarily. He also admitted to throwing the remaining crushed pills out the window of his car on his way to work, according to the documents.
Authorities note that Abbas has no prior criminal history. A spokesperson for the University of Toledo said the institution is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. Abbas has until Dec. 5 to request a hearing to contest the suspension of his medical license. Meanwhile, the criminal case remains active as investigators gather additional evidence.
The allegations have sparked significant concern in both medical and legal circles, given the severity of the claims and the breach of professional ethics involved. If convicted, Abbas could face substantial prison time in addition to permanently losing his license to practice medicine.
READ NEXT