A 31-year-old woman from Queens died from an elaborate procedure performed by an unlicensed individual as a plastic surgeon. According to court documents, the victim María Peñaloza fell into cardiac arrest in her unauthorized evacuation of her butt implant on March 28. Shortly after the operation, she announced that she had declared brain death a few weeks later and succumbed to her injuries.
Defendant Felipe Hoyos-Foronda allegedly operated in a non-medical institution without a valid medical license. The Queens Attorney’s Office filed a criminal lawsuit, saying Hoyos-Foronda “had no enforcement permit and had surgery not been performed at a medical facility.”
Authorities said Peñaloza had previously undergone docking implantation procedures and sought removal due to complications. She contacted Hoyos-Foronda, who mistakenly claimed to be a certified surgeon who was able to perform extraction.
Illegal procedures reportedly resulted in immediate medical troubles. First responders were called, but Peña Laza had suffered cardiac arrest and showed no signs of brain activity later.
“This tragic case is a serious warning about the dangers of unauthorized persons undergoing medical procedures,” said Queens Attorney Melinda Katz. “We are committed to liable for the defendants for this unreasonable act.”
Hoyos-Foronda is charged with unauthorized occupation and other related offences. Authorities are urging anyone who may receive similar procedures from the suspect to step up. The case has sparked renewed attention to underground cosmetic surgery and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals seeking physical enhancement.
