Mother Dies After Botched Butt Implant Removal by Sham Doctor in Queens
A tragic incident unfolded in Queens where a mother of two, María Paz Peñaloza, lost her life after undergoing a botched butt implant removal procedure by a sham doctor. The 31-year-old woman was left brain-dead following the March surgery at an illegal liposuction clinic in Ditmars Steinway, ultimately succumbing to her injuries on April 11.
The unlicensed surgeon responsible for the procedure, Felipe Hoyos-Foronda, administered lidocaine to Peñaloza through a syringe, leading to a cardiac arrest. Hoyos-Foronda attempted to flee but was apprehended at JFK Airport before boarding a flight back to Colombia.
Peñaloza’s sister, Linney Peñaloza Cabrera, expressed shock and grief over the tragic turn of events. She revealed that a friend who accompanied María to the clinic called for an ambulance, unaware of the severity of the situation. Despite efforts to revive her for two and a half hours, Peñaloza could not be saved.
An investigation by the Queens District Attorney’s Office pointed towards lidocaine toxicity as the cause of Peñaloza’s death. While typically safe, improper administration or excessive doses of lidocaine can prove fatal.
During Peñaloza’s hospitalization, her friend visited Hoyos-Foronda’s clinic to retrieve her belongings. Learning of the incident, the friend alerted the authorities, leading to Hoyos-Foronda’s arrest at the airport.
Hoyos-Foronda faces charges of second-degree assault and unauthorized practice of a profession. The Queens DA’s Office assured that the case remains under active investigation, leaving room for potential updates in the charges brought against the fraudulent surgeon.
