Texas Dentist Arrested After 4-Year-Old Died With 793 ng/mL Meperidine During Procedure
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 17
Texas Dentist Arrested After 4-Year-Old Died With 793 ng/mL Meperidine During Procedure
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 17
Summary
Fort Worth police arrested Dr. Chrishelle Hemphill, 48, on Wednesday and charged her with recklessly causing serious bodily injury to a child after 4-year-old Aithana Rodríguez-Arriaga died following an April 1 dental procedure.
The medical examiner ruled the death an accident caused by meperidine toxicity, and investigators said the girl had 793 ng/mL in her system — a level experts considered toxic even for an adult.
Court records allege Hemphill gave chloral hydrate, hydroxyzine and meperidine along with nitrous oxide, failed to account for their combined effect, missed signs of respiratory distress and used flumazenil instead of naloxone.
Investigators also cited poor monitoring during recovery, confusion over where Narcan was kept and syringes with leftover medication that staff allegedly planned to save for future patients.
Hemphill was released on a $10,000 bond, her dental license remained active at arrest, and the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office is reviewing the case.