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Texas Dentist Arrested in Child's Sedation Death
16 Jul
Summary
- A Texas dentist was arrested months after a 4-year-old died post-procedure.
- Investigators found the child had a toxic dose of a sedative.
- The dentist allegedly used the wrong reversal medication for the overdose.
A pediatric dentist in Fort Worth, Texas, Dr. Chrishelle Hemphill, was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the death of a 4-year-old girl that occurred in April. The young patient, Aithana Rodriguez Arriaga, died after undergoing a frenectomy at Cuddle Kids Dental. Investigators have charged Hemphill with injury to a child, alleging she was responsible for the girl's fatal injuries.
According to an arrest affidavit, Aithana never regained consciousness after the procedure. A medical examination later revealed a toxic level of the opioid pain medication meperidine in her system. Investigators ruled the death an accident but noted Hemphill administered sedative medications before the procedure. Staff attempted to revive the child with flumazenil, a medication that reverses benzodiazepines, but investigators stated meperidine requires naloxone (Narcan) for reversal.
Hemphill could not produce evidence of where Narcan was stored at the practice. If convicted, she faces two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. A GoFundMe has been established to help Aithana's family with funeral expenses and repatriation to Mexico, having raised over $11,000.
