A 31-year-old mother of two from New York City has died following a botched cosmetic procedure performed inside a private home in Queens — and the man accused of carrying out the illegal surgery was arrested while allegedly trying to flee the country.
María Paz Peñaloza, a devoted mother to two young boys aged 3 and 1, went to a residence in Astoria, Queens in March for the removal of butt implants, according to her family. The procedure was performed by Felipe Hoyos-Foronda, who allegedly operated without a valid medical license in the United States.
“She went there because a friend had previously gone and recommended him,” María’s sister, Linney Peñaloza Cabrera, told the New York Daily News in Spanish. A friend who accompanied María to the appointment said she was soon after rushed out of the home in an ambulance.
According to Cabrera, paramedics and doctors fought for over two hours to revive her, but the damage was irreversible. María was declared brain dead, and two weeks later, she passed away.