A grieving father is demanding justice after his 14-year-old daughter allegedly died from complications of a breast augmentation.
According to AZ Central, the tragedy began on September 12, when Paloma Nicole Arellano Escobedo underwent a breast enlargement surgery at a private clinic in Durango, Mexico. The girl’s father, Carlos Arellano, claimed Paloma’s procedure was not only done without his knowledge, but it was also performed by her mother’s boyfriend, identified only as Victor “N."
Arellano told the outlet that his ex-partner, who is also named Paloma, had called him on September 11, saying she was taking their daughter to the mountains so they could self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19. The teen’s mother reportedly called Arellano days later, informing him that their daughter had died on September 20 from the illness.
Arellano said he became suspicious about Paloma’s death during the funeral, when other attendees pointed out that the girl’s chest appeared to be bigger.
“At the funeral, some relatives told me her breasts were larger than what she had before and when I mentioned it to her mother, she told me it wasn't true, that she didn't know anything,” he said in a statement from the Prosecutor’s Office. “That night, I asked her mother to leave the room so I could talk to the girl, to say my goodbyes. For some reason, she didn't want to. I managed to convince her and her entire family to leave, and they did.”
Arellano said his sister, sister-in-law, and mother stayed in the room as he examined Paloma’s body.
“Sure enough: she had breast implants,” he continued. “We have photographs of the implants and the scars. We immediately requested an autopsy.”
Arellano said he reported the incident to officials, and put the blame on his ex, her new man, and the clinic.
"We are investigating a probable lack of care on the part of the mother, a criminal offense contemplated in our code, placing a minor who was under her care and custody in risky situations,” Yadira de la Garza Fragoso, Durango Attorney General, said.
AZ Central reports the surgeon boyfriend has had his license suspended for malpractice, and may face criminal charges pending the results of a final autopsy.
“There could be a crime of negligent homicide, and probably medical-professional liability,” the attorney general said.
