A Texas dentist has been arrested over three months following the death of a 4-year-old patient during a dental procedure, as confirmed by the Fort Worth Police Department.
The incident occurred on April 1 when Aithana RodrÃguez-Arriaga underwent a dental procedure at Cuddle Kids Dental Care. The procedure, aimed at addressing being tongue-tied, was considered minor and routine.
Unfortunately, the procedure did not proceed as expected, leading to Aithana becoming unresponsive. Despite immediate efforts to save her life, she was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Dr. Chrishelle Hemphill, aged 48, was taken into custody on Tuesday and charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily harm, classified as a second-degree felony by the police.
Detective J. Spragins stated that negligence on Hemphill’s part contributed to Aithana’s tragic death, as revealed by statements from Hemphill, her staff, and medical professionals.
An autopsy conducted by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner determined that Aithana died from meperidine (Demerol) toxicity, which was deemed accidental according to Hemphill’s arrest warrant affidavit.
The affidavit highlighted that Aithana had 793 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of meperidine in her system. Meperidine is an opioid typically used as a preoperative medication.
Further investigation revealed that the dosage given to Aithana was potentially toxic and could have been lethal even for an adult, as per the recommended dosage guidelines.
Hemphill was accused of administering meperidine, along with other sedatives and nitrous oxide gas, before the procedure, and failing to monitor the child’s condition or provide immediate assistance when she became unresponsive.
After posting a $10,000 bond, Hemphill was released and could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted.
The arrest followed an inquiry by the Fort Worth Police Department’s Crimes Against Children Unit, which identified the doctor involved in the procedure. The child’s mother initiated a GoFundMe campaign in memory of her daughter, describing Aithana as a vibrant and kind-hearted 4-year-old who brought joy to those around her.
To support Aithana RodrÃguez-Arriaga’s family, you can contribute to the GoFundMe page by clicking here.