NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A New Haven chiropractor has been charged on suspicion of making harassing phone calls.

Prosecutors said Steve Piserchia made disturbing phone calls to a woman who suffered a life-altering stroke after an appointment with a chiropractor.

Britt Harwe of Wethersfield said she received a series of phone calls and e-mails that she said mocked chiropractic stroke victims such as herself.

"That's right, she can't talk," Piserchia allegedly said in one of the messages left on Harwe's answering machine last June, she said.

Harwe suffered a stroke 15 years ago after getting her neck adjusted by a chiropractor. Now, she eats through a feeding tube and, like many stroke victims, has a paralyzed vocal chord.

"To make light of that, to be a health professional, to use the title 'doctor?' He called from his office," she said. "It's so heinous, it's unbelievable."

Harwe said the number on her caller ID came from New Haven Medical, Sports & Occupational Health, where Piserchia is president.

"A lot of other victims in the state were getting similar ones where he's singing and asking about Bob," she said.

"If you get this message, call me back. I'd love to hear from you. We haven't heard from you in a long time, Bob. All right, Bob? Call me. I love you, Bob," one voice mail said.

Harwe thinks the messages and offensive e-mails she received are an intimidation tactic to get her to stop talking about the risk of chiropractic strokes and the symptoms patients should look out for.

She is the cofounder of the Chiropractic Stroke Awareness Group.

"He said he was upset with the lies I was spreading, that stroke could happen as a result," Harwe said.

Harwe said she will continue working to raise awareness about chiropractic strokes.

No one came to the door of Piserchia's Guilford home Wednesday night to comment on the charges.