A New York City mother of two died after receiving a butt implant removal from an unlicensed practitioner who fled the scene and attempted to leave the country.
At a Glance
- María Paz Peñaloza sought butt implant removal at an illegal home clinic in Queens, NY
- Felipe Hoyos-Foronda, falsely claiming to be a Colombian doctor, administered lidocaine that caused cardiac arrest
- Peñaloza was declared brain-dead from lidocaine toxicity and taken off life support on April 11
- Hoyos-Foronda was arrested at JFK Airport attempting to flee to Colombia
- He faces charges of second-degree assault and unauthorized practice of medicine, with potential upgrades pending
Illegal Home Clinic Leads to Tragedy
An unlicensed practitioner operating an illegal cosmetic surgery clinic from a home in Queens, New York, has been charged following the death of a patient. María Paz Peñaloza, a mother of two, visited the makeshift clinic in Ditmars Steinway for butt implant removal, a decision that would tragically cost her life. The operation took place in a residential home that had been illegally converted into a medical facility, complete with examination tables, injectable syringes, and examination lights.
Felipe Hoyos-Foronda, who falsely claimed to be a doctor from Colombia, administered lidocaine during the procedure. Authorities report that this administration was improper and caused Peñaloza to go into cardiac arrest. When brought to a hospital, doctors determined she was suffering from “lidocaine toxicity” and was “clinging to life”. Despite medical intervention, Peñaloza was declared brain-dead and removed from life support on April 11.
Suspect Apprehended While Fleeing
After the botched procedure, Hoyos-Foronda fled the scene immediately. Law enforcement launched a manhunt that concluded at John F. Kennedy International Airport, where they apprehended the suspect attempting to board a flight to Colombia. This swift action by authorities prevented his escape from the United States. Hoyos-Foronda was arrested and initially charged with second-degree assault and unauthorized practice of a profession.
The Queens District Attorney’s Office stated that Hoyos-Foronda performed the procedure “without a license to do so and while not in a medical facility,” “causing her to go into cardiac arrest.” The suspect is currently being held without bail at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center in East Elmhurst, New York, with his next court appearance scheduled for April 28.
Investigation Continues as Charges May Escalate
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the illegal clinic operation. The New York Police Department has released Hoyos-Foronda’s photograph, encouraging additional victims or individuals with relevant information to come forward. The building where the illegal clinic operated is now under a partial vacate order issued by city officials, specifically citing the “first apartment operating as a medical office with medical exam table, cosmetic injectable syringes, exam lights.”
A representative from the District Attorney’s office indicated that the charges against Hoyos-Foronda may be upgraded in light of Peñaloza’s death, stating, “Whenever circumstances change in a case we re-examine the charges.” Prosecutors believe the cause of death was lidocaine toxicity, a condition that can occur when the anesthetic is improperly administered.
Family Left Devastated
The victim’s family has been left reeling from the unexpected loss. Linney Peñaloza Cabrera, a relative of the deceased, expressed the family’s shock, saying, “We never imagined this would happen.” According to reports, a friend of Peñaloza went to the illegal clinic to retrieve her belongings after the incident and learned of the situation from a landlord, which led to police involvement.
The case highlights the dangers of seeking cosmetic procedures from unlicensed practitioners. Health authorities frequently warn against “backdoor” cosmetic surgeries that often use substandard equipment, non-sterile environments, and practitioners without proper medical training or credentials. The tragic outcome of this case serves as a stark reminder of the potentially fatal consequences of such illegal operations.
