Woman De@d After Unlicensed Surgeon Attempted To Remove Her Butt Implants From His Home

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31-Year-Old NYC Woman De@d After Unlicensed Surgeon Attempted To Remove Her Butt Implants From His Home

A heartbreaking story is unfolding out of New York City, where 31-year-old María Peñaloza from Queens lost her life after undergoing an unlicensed medical procedure to have her butt implants removed.

According to authorities, María went into cardiac arrest during the surgery, which was allegedly carried out by a man posing as a plastic surgeon—not in a hospital, and without any medical license. Court documents say the procedure took place on March 28 inside the man’s home.

The alleged imposter, 38-year-old Felipe Hoyos-Foronda, reportedly injected María with lidocaine, a local anesthetic. Prosecutors believe this caused her to go into cardiac arrest, ultimately leaving her brain-dead. She was rushed to Astoria General Hospital, where doctors found no signs of brain activity and suspected lidocaine toxicity as the cause.

Hoyos-Foronda has since been arrested after initially trying to flee the city and is facing multiple charges, including second-degree assault and practicing without a medical license. He’s currently being held at Otis Bantum Correctional Center in East Elmhurst.

As of now, officials say the case is still under investigation, and charges could be upgraded depending on how things develop.

No attorney has been listed for Hoyos-Foronda yet, and his next court appearance is scheduled for April 28.

Our thoughts go out to María’s loved ones during this difficult time.

ABC News / CBS New York

Authored by: Kay Johnson