The Fort Worth dental practice of Dr. Chrishelle Hemphill remains shuttered as authorities investigate the death of a 4-year-old patient. Cuddle Kids Dental Care posted a notice on its front door last week indicating a closure period from July 17 through July 23. Multiple attempts to reach the office by phone resulted in automated busy signals, and the practice’s website appears to be offline.
It is not yet clear whether the digital presence has been permanently removed or is temporarily unavailable.
Hemphill, 48, was taken into custody by Fort Worth police on July 15. She is charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury in connection with the April 1 death of a young patient. The dentist was released from the Tarrant County jail after posting a $10,000 bond.
According to an arrest affidavit, the incident began when the girl’s mother brought her to the office for a frenotomy procedure. After the treatment, staff informed the mother that the child was unresponsive and would not wake up. The mother told investigators she observed Hemphill place a popsicle on the child’s lips in an effort to rouse her, but the child remained unresponsive.
Emergency crews transported the girl to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner ruled the death accidental, citing meperidine toxicity. Investigators determined the child received approximately double the appropriate dose of the opioid pain medication. The affidavit states there was a lethal amount of the drug in the girl’s system.
