On April 24, 2023, Fort Myers faced unexpected news when a local doctor was taken into custody by authorities.
Dr. Aaron Wohl was arrested, made headlines across Southwest Florida after the Lee County Sheriff’s Office charged him with kidnapping and battery. The 48-year-old physician worked at Elite DNA Behavioral Health in Cape Coral, where he focused on addiction treatment and emergency medicine for over two decades.
The arrest shocked patients, colleagues, and community members who knew him as a dedicated medical professional with no prior complaints.
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The Incident That Led to the Arrest
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, the incident began when a female victim arrived at a residential location. Dr. Wohl confronted her, and a verbal argument quickly turned physical during their encounter.
The victim stated that Wohl became upset and started calling her derogatory names while demanding access to her phone. He forcefully grabbed the device from her hands and pushed her while insisting she provide the passcode to unlock it.
When she refused to give him the code, Wohl attempted to throw her phone into a nearby pond. The phone landed along the shoreline instead, getting wet but remaining accessible for retrieval from the water’s edge.
Wohl retrieved the phone and placed it in his back pocket before grabbing the victim and shaking her aggressively. He then forcefully moved her toward the front door, where he pushed her to the ground with force.
The victim grabbed his hair in self-defense while trying to get her phone back from his pocket. She continued refusing to provide the passcode, which made him increasingly upset and more aggressive toward her.
She attempted to leave through the garage door but was pinned against the wall by Wohl. Eventually, she managed to exit through the garage and locked herself inside her car for safety and protection.
Wohl ripped open the car door and pulled her out of the driver’s seat by grabbing her bra, shirt, and hair. He threw her onto the concrete driveway and continued yelling at her while she lay on the ground, injured.
The Victim’s Account Continues
The victim was able to get up and scream for help after being thrown onto the concrete surface.
At that point, another person pulled into the driveway, witnessed the encounter between Wohl and the victim, and drove away without intervening. The victim stated that Wohl then began to feel remorseful about his actions and returned her phone to her possession.
The two went back inside the residence together after he apologized for his behavior during the altercation.
Once inside, Wohl began crying while cleaning her injuries and apologizing repeatedly for what had happened outside. The victim started texting a friend to inform them about the situation and request help from someone she trusted.
Wohl noticed she was texting and became upset again, demanding to know who she was contacting on her phone. She told him she was giving her friend instructions on how to enter through the residential gate for assistance.
He became furious and refused to let her leave the residence despite her repeated requests to go. The victim told her friend to call law enforcement immediately because she felt she was being held against her will.
Law Enforcement Response
Deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the residence after receiving the call for help. The victim greeted them at the door, but Wohl talked over her, insisting everything was fine and no help was needed.
Detectives spoke with Wohl and noticed visible blood on his t-shirt that appeared to be from the victim. Her injuries were consistent with the statement she provided to investigators about what happened during the incident with Wohl.
Based on the evidence and probable cause, officers arrested Wohl at the scene for the alleged crimes committed.
The Charges Filed
Dr. Aaron Wohl was arrested, faced two criminal charges following the incident at the Fort Myers area residence that day.
He was charged with false imprisonment, which involves unlawfully restraining someone against their will without legal authority or consent. He also faced a charge of battery touch or strike, which refers to intentionally touching or striking another person against their will.
Both charges are serious criminal offenses in Florida that can result in significant legal consequences if convicted in court.
Professional Background
Dr. Wohl graduated from the University of Florida College of Medicine in 1998 after completing his undergraduate studies in biology. He completed a three-year residency program specializing in emergency medicine before entering professional practice in Southwest Florida and the surrounding areas.
In 2001, he founded Elite DNA Behavioral Health in Cape Coral, focusing on addiction treatment and mental health services. His practice specialized in helping patients struggling with substance abuse and providing comprehensive care for those seeking recovery and support.
For over 20 years, he served the Fort Myers medical community through his work in emergency medicine and addiction psychiatry. He held hospital affiliations with Lee Memorial Hospital and other healthcare facilities throughout his career in the region and beyond.
Employer Response
Elite DNA Behavioral Health released an official statement after learning about the arrest of their employee and medical professional.
The organization stated that they take matters like this very seriously and placed the person on administrative leave immediately. They noted that the Lee County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an ongoing investigation into the allegations and criminal charges filed.
The statement indicated they had no further information to share at that time regarding the case or incident. They directed all questions related to the case to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for official updates and information.
What Happens Next
The case will proceed through the Florida criminal justice system, with court proceedings scheduled to address the charges filed. Prosecutors will present evidence gathered during the investigation, and defense attorneys will have the opportunity to respond and present their case.
If convicted, Wohl could face imprisonment, fines, probation, and the permanent loss of his medical license to practice medicine. The Florida Board of Medicine may also conduct separate disciplinary proceedings regardless of the criminal case outcome and final verdict.
The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses who may have information about the incident.
Community Impact
The news of dr aaron Wohl’s arrest sent ripples through the Fort Myers medical community and among his patients. Many who knew him professionally expressed disbelief that someone with his reputation would face such serious criminal charges and allegations.
Patients who received treatment at Elite DNA Behavioral Health had questions about the continuity of their care and treatment plans. The facility continued operating with other medical staff while Wohl remained on administrative leave during the legal proceedings and investigation.
The case raised broader questions about professional conduct and accountability within the healthcare field, particularly in addiction treatment settings. Medical professionals are held to high ethical standards, and allegations of violent behavior can significantly impact public trust in healthcare providers.
Understanding the Legal Process
In Florida, kidnapping charges involve unlawfully confining, abducting, or imprisoning another person against their will without legal authority to do so. The charge can be elevated to aggravated kidnapping if certain conditions are met during the commission of the alleged crime.
Battery charges involve intentionally touching or striking another person against their will or intentionally causing bodily harm to someone. The severity of battery charges can vary based on the extent of injuries caused and the circumstances surrounding the incident itself.
False imprisonment is considered a lesser charge than kidnapping, but still involves restricting someone’s freedom of movement without lawful justification or consent.
Verified Facts vs. Speculation
It is important to distinguish between verified information from official sources and unverified claims circulating online about the case. The arrest report from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office provides the most reliable account of what allegedly occurred that day.
Some online sources have published conflicting information or presented speculation as fact regarding dr aaron Wohl’s arrest and the circumstances involved. Readers should rely on official law enforcement statements, court documents, and credible news sources for accurate information about ongoing legal cases.
Until the case concludes in court, the allegations remain unproven in the eyes of the law under the presumption of innocence.
Moving Forward
The legal proceedings will determine the outcome of the charges against Wohl through the Florida criminal justice system and courts. Both the prosecution and defense will present their cases, and a judge or jury will evaluate the evidence presented carefully.
The medical community will watch closely as the case progresses to understand the full scope of what occurred. For now, Wohl remains on administrative leave while the investigation continues and legal proceedings move forward through the appropriate channels.
This case serves as a reminder that professionals in all fields are accountable for their actions both personally and professionally. The legal system will work to determine the truth based on evidence, witness testimony, and applicable Florida law regarding the charges.
