A pediatric dental office in Fort Worth, Texas, continued operating for more than three months after a four-year-old girl died during a routine procedure, sparking anger among parents who were not informed.
Death and delay
Aithana Arriaga died on April 1 after a tongue-tie procedure known as a frenectomy at Cuddle Kids Dental Care. The business stayed open for 15 weeks until Dr. Chrishelle Hemphill was arrested on July 15 and charged with reckless injury to a child. A sign on the front door later confirmed the surgery was closed.
Parent Hevan Pittman told Fox News he unknowingly took his daughter to Dr. Hemphill for the same procedure five days after Aithana’s death. “No one told me anything about what happened,” he said. His sister, Cheyenne Mahana, later took her four-year-old daughter for a lip tie procedure. “If something like that happens, they should not be allowed to still be practicing,” she said.
Drug allegations
Authorities allege Hemphill used meperidine (Demerol), nitrous oxide, and two other medications during the procedure. Aithana did not wake up after the procedure; Hemphill and a second dentist performed CPR until medics arrived. The child was pronounced dead at a hospital.
The child’s mother said she was not allowed in the room and later saw Hemphill place an ice lolly on the girl’s lips to try to wake her. A medical examiner determined Aithana died from meperidine toxicity. An affidavit stated: “About 200 to 500 ng/mL of meperidine in a person’s system is typically therapeutic for an adult. The amount found in the victim was 793 ng/mL.”
The affidavit also noted that flumazenil was administered instead of Narcan to reverse the opioid’s effects. A detective stated: “Throughout this investigation I have learned … there was evident neglect on Hemphill’s part that led to Aithana’s death.” The girl’s respiratory distress went unnoticed, and improper life-saving measures were used.
Attorney’s response
Hemphill’s attorney, Michael P. Heiskell, said: “This is a heartbreaking tragedy and our condolences are with the family. At the same time, allegations contained in an affidavit are not proof. … Dr. Hemphill is presumed innocent.”
