Fort Worth police arrested Dr. Chrishelle Hemphill, a 48-year-old pediatric dentist, on July 15 in connection with the April death of a 4-year-old girl. Hemphill faces a charge of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, classified as a second-degree felony. The arrest followed an investigation by the Crimes Against Children Unit into the death of Aithana Rodriguez Arriaga.
The affidavit states that Aithana visited Cuddle Kids Dental Care at 5329 Sycamore School Road on April 1 for a frenectomy to treat a tongue-tie. During the procedure, the child became unresponsive. Firefighters transported her to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death an accident caused by meperidine toxicity. Investigators noted that the medical examiner found 793 nanograms per milliliter of the opioid in the child's blood. The medical examiner stated this concentration would be toxic for an adult and indicated the medication was administered twice.
Investigators allege Hemphill gave the child meperidine along with two other sedatives and nitrous oxide. The affidavit claims Hemphill failed to recognize respiratory distress and did not use naloxone to reverse the opioid effects. Instead, she used an automated external defibrillator and administered flumazenil to counteract the sedatives.
The document states Hemphill began chest compressions after finding the child unresponsive. A second dentist, who had been on a lunch break, continued CPR until emergency personnel arrived. Medical experts consulted during the investigation identified failures in monitoring and emergency response.
