QUEENS, NY — A Queens grand jury has indicted Felipe Hoyos Foronda on charges including manslaughter for allegedly performing unauthorized cosmetic surgery that resulted in the death of a 31-year-old woman, District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday.
Hoyos Foronda, 37, is accused of operating an illegal medical clinic from his Astoria apartment, where Maria Penaloza underwent an unlicensed procedure to remove silicone buttock implants on March 28. Penaloza suffered cardiac arrest during the procedure and died two weeks later after being removed from life support.
Key Points
- Felipe Hoyos Foronda was indicted for manslaughter, assault, and unauthorized practice after a fatal unlicensed surgery.
- Victim Maria Penaloza, 31, went into cardiac arrest following the procedure and died 14 days later.
- Hoyos Foronda attempted to flee the country but was apprehended at JFK Airport.
“This defendant provided an unlicensed medical treatment at a makeshift home clinic in Astoria that led to a 31-year-old woman’s death,” DA Katz said. The procedure involved injections of lidocaine and saline, after which Penaloza became lightheaded and unresponsive.
Emergency responders found Penaloza unconscious in a medical chair. She was transported to Mount Sinai Queens, where she was later determined to have no brain activity. Her death was officially recorded on April 11.
Attempted flight and investigation into illegal clinic
Hoyos Foronda, who has no medical license in the United States, was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Florida en route to Colombia. A search of his residence uncovered medical equipment, syringes, injectables, and a binder listing client names.
Hoyos Foronda was arraigned on charges of manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the second degree, and unauthorized practice of a profession. Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant ordered him to return to court on June 3. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Authorities seek additional victims
District Attorney Katz urged anyone who may have received services from Hoyos Foronda to contact NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline, warning the public to always verify the credentials of medical providers.
Authorities continue to investigate whether other individuals received unauthorized treatments from Hoyos Foronda at his illegal clinic.
A fake surgeon’s deadly deception in Queens has led to manslaughter charges and a desperate search for additional victims.