DENTIST CHARGED AFTER FOUR-YEAR-OLD DIES DURING TONGUE-TIE PROCEDURE

A 48-year-old dentist in Texas has been arrested and charged following the death of a four-year-old patient during a routine dental procedure. Aithana Rodríguez-Arriaga underwent surgery to address being tongue-tied at Cuddle Kids Dental Care in Fort Worth on 1 April. The child became unresponsive during the procedure and was taken to hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Dr Chrishelle Hemphill was arrested on Tuesday and charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, a second-degree felony, according to the Fort Worth Police Department.

An autopsy by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner determined the child died from meperidine toxicity and ruled her death an accident. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Rodríguez-Arriaga had 793 nanograms per millilitre of meperidine in her system; the recommended dosage for adults is between 200 and 500 ng/mL. Meperidine is an opioid used as a preoperative medication. The affidavit states that the dosage administered could have proven toxic and potentially lethal to an adult. Detective J. Spragins said the investigation revealed evidence of neglect by Hemphill based on her own statements, staff statements, and opinions from medical professionals.

According to the warrant, Hemphill is accused of administering meperidine alongside other sedatives and nitrous oxide gas before the procedure and failing to monitor the child whilst in her care to provide emergency treatment once she became unresponsive. The charges carry potential significant penalties under Texas law for harm to a child.