NYC Mom Dies After Botched Butt Implant Removal by Fake Plastic Surgeon

A mother of two, María Paz Peñaloza, aged 31, has died after a disastrous butt implant removal procedure performed by an unlicensed surgeon in Queens. This tragic event occurred weeks after the March operation, which took place in an illegal liposuction clinic located in a residential home in Ditmars Steinway.

Initially, Peñaloza was left brain-dead following the botched procedure. She was taken off life support on April 11, leaving her family devastated. According to court records, the so-called surgeon, Felipe Hoyos-Foronda, attempted to flee the scene and was later apprehended at JFK Airport. He reportedly administered lidocaine through a syringe, which led to Peñaloza going into cardiac arrest.

“We never imagined this would happen,” expressed Linney Peñaloza Cabrera, the victim’s sister, in a statement. “A friend who accompanied María called to inform us that she was taken away in an ambulance, but she had no idea how serious the situation was.”

Linney further explained that María had chosen this clinic based on a recommendation from a friend who had previously undergone a procedure there. “From the moment the ambulance arrived and throughout her time in the hospital, doctors were trying to revive her for two and a half hours,” she added, highlighting the urgency and severity of the situation.

Prosecutors from the Queens District Attorney's Office suspect that Peñaloza's death was caused by lidocaine toxicity. While lidocaine is generally considered safe, it can become dangerous if administered incorrectly or in excessive amounts across large areas of the body.

While Peñaloza was receiving medical attention, her friend visited Hoyos-Foronda’s illegal clinic to retrieve her belongings. It was during this visit that the friend learned about the severity of the incident from the landlord, prompting her to contact the police.

Law enforcement was able to trace the license plate of Hoyos-Foronda’s vehicle to the Van Wyck Expressway. Port Authority officers apprehended him at the airport as he was preparing to board a flight back to Colombia.

Hoyos-Foronda has since been charged with second-degree assault, a felony, along with unauthorized practice of a profession, as detailed in the complaint. The Queens District Attorney's Office has stated, “Whenever circumstances change in a case, we re-examine the charges. This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and we cannot provide further comment.”