A 38-year-old Queens man, Felipe Hoyos-Foronda, was arrested on charges of assault and unlicensed practice of medicine after allegedly performing illegal plastic surgery procedures, resulting in a woman being left brain dead. According to ABC7NY, Hoyos-Foronda was apprehended at the airport as he was attempting to flee to Colombia.
The incident took place in Hoyos-Foronda's home in Astoria, Queens, where a makeshift surgical suite was discovered by first responders. The victim, a 31-year-old woman, is reported as having suffered cardiac arrest following lidocaine injections administered by Hoyos-Foronda—a compound typically used for numbing during medical procedures. According to PEOPLE, the woman is currently in a state with no brain activity and remains intubated in the hospital. Lidocaine toxicity is believed to be the cause of her condition, which can result in serious cardiovascular or respiratory issues.
Authorities were alerted to Hoyos-Foronda's operation after EMS responded to an emergency call from his residence on 35th St. near 20th Road. Subsequently, he fled the scene, but was later detained inside John F. Kennedy International Airport by the Port Authority Police Department. He had a ticket booked for a flight out of the country, but was captured before he could depart.
The case has prompted law enforcement to seek additional potential victims, as the Department of Buildings has placed a vacate order on Hoyos-Foronda's premises due to it being used for unlawful medical practices. In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, the order described "[The] first apartment operating as a medical office with medical exam table, cosmetic injectables syringes, exam lights."
Hoyos-Foronda pleaded not guilty during his arraignment and was ordered held without bail. He is scheduled for another court appearance today at 9 a.m. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, with the assurance that all calls will be kept confidential.
