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Newborn Dies After Circumcision; Doctor Charged
1 Apr
Summary
- A doctor faces involuntary manslaughter charges for a newborn's death.
- Baby died from bronchopneumonia due to acute Demerol intoxication.
- Doctor's license was suspended on February 19, 2026.
A California doctor, Dr. Hong-An Jan, faces a felony charge of involuntary manslaughter after a two-day-old infant died following a circumcision. The baby, Charles Wang, passed away in February 2024 after the procedure at Dr. Jan's clinic. Investigations revealed the infant's cause of death as bronchopneumonia resulting from acute Demerol intoxication, with high levels of the opioid found instead of anesthetic.
Dr. Jan allegedly injected the synthetic opioid into the newborn. The baby's parents are pursuing a civil suit for wrongful death and malpractice. According to court documents, the baby appeared lethargic post-procedure, but the doctor dismissed concerns as normal. The infant was pronounced dead the following day after being rushed to the hospital. Dr. Jan's medical license was suspended by court order on February 19, 2026, with the outcome tied to the ongoing case.
