A Texas dentist has been charged after a 4-year-old girl died from a routine procedure that she didn’t even need, according to reports.
Chrishelle Hemphill — a mom of two who runs Cuddle Kids Dental Care in Fort Worth – was arrested at her office Wednesday over the April 1 procedure that led to Aithana Rodríguez-Arriaga’s death, KTVT reported.
The “sweet, loving” 4-year-old girl was given lethal doses of pain medication for a tongue-tie op that both her pediatrician and a specialist both said she didn’t even need, according to an arrest report.
Aithana was given excessive amounts of Demerol – a highly addictive pain medication known as meperidine — two other sedatives and nitrous oxide, according to the report.
Hemphill, 48, attempted CPR when the girl became unresponsive — with another dentist helping — but Aithana could not be saved when rushed to the hospital. Her cause of death was given as meperidine toxicity.
Her family said in a fundraiser that it was “heartbroken by her sudden loss” of the “beautiful 4-year-old girl who was “filled with life and kindness.”
“Her presence always lit up a room, and she brought so much joy to everyone around her … She was sweet, loving, and touched the lives of all who knew her.”
Hemphill’s arrest report said that “the amount of meperidine found in Aithana’s system would have been high for an adult and that the medication was given to her twice.”
Her level was 793 nanograms per millimeter – way over the adult range of 200 to 500 nanograms.
Hemphill didn’t realize the three drugs combined could be potentially fatal, according to the warrant seen by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
She also used the wrong drug when trying to resuscitate the girl, the warrant says.
“Throughout this investigation I have learned from Hemphill’s own statements, her staff’s statements and from medical professionals that there was evident neglect on Hemphill’s part that led to Aithana’s death,” Detective J. Spragins said.
Both the girl’s primary-care pediatrician and an ear, nose and throat specialist later told investigators they had earlier examined Aithana and found no evidence she needed the tongue-tie procedure, the reports said.
Hemphill, originally from Shreveport, La., now faces up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine after being charged of injury to a child.
