NYC Mom Dies After Illegal Surgery Gone Wrong

In the bustling heart of New York City, where dreams and ambitions collide daily, tragedy quietly unfolded inside a Queens apartment — one that would leave a family devastated and a community questioning how such practices continue to thrive. Thirty-one-year-old María Paz Peñaloza, a devoted mother of two young sons, embarked on a seemingly simple medical procedure to change her life — instead, it ended it.

A Trusted Recommendation Leads to a Fateful Visit

In March, Peñaloza traveled to Astoria, Queens, to visit a private home clinic run by Felipe Hoyos-Foronda. She was there for a butt implant removal, a procedure she reportedly sought based on a friend's recommendation. The friend, according to the New York Daily News, had previously undergone a procedure at Hoyos-Foronda's residence and assured María of his capabilities.

But this wasn't a certified clinic. It wasn't even a legally operating medical practice. Hoyos-Foronda allegedly did not hold a U.S. medical license, though he claimed to be licensed in Colombia.

During the procedure, authorities said, Hoyos-Foronda administered lidocaine — a common anesthetic that can be lethal when misused. Peñaloza soon went into cardiac arrest.

A Desperate Fight for Life

Emergency responders rushed Peñaloza from the apartment to the hospital. For two and a half harrowing hours, doctors fought to revive her. Despite their efforts, Peñaloza was declared brain dead. Her family made the heartbreaking decision to remove her from life support two weeks later, on April 11.

The cause of death was ruled as lidocaine toxicity, according to authorities.

Peñaloza left behind two sons, ages 3 and 1, and a grieving family in Colombia who are now raising funds to travel to the United States to say their goodbyes.

A Fugitive's Flight — and Arrest

Shortly after the incident, Hoyos-Foronda allegedly tried to flee the country. Authorities tracked him down to John F. Kennedy International Airport, where he was about to board a flight back to Colombia. Police apprehended him at the airport before he could escape.

Hoyos-Foronda now faces charges of second-degree assault and unauthorized practice of a profession. He has pleaded not guilty. As of this writing, the investigation remains ongoing, and officials emphasize that all charges are allegations until proven in court.

A Family's Grief, a Community's Outcry

Speaking to the New York Daily News, Peñaloza's sister, Linney Peñaloza Cabrera, remembered María as "a very happy person, very family oriented. She always wanted to be around us at her home. We'd always spend the holidays at her place" according to PEOPLE.

The tragic loss has spurred renewed calls for stricter enforcement against illegal cosmetic surgeries, a troubling underground industry that continues to claim lives. For Peñaloza's family, the focus remains on honoring her memory — and protecting others from similar heartbreak.

References: NYC Mom of 2 Dies After Illegal Butt Implant Surgery | Mom of 2 Taken Off Life Support Weeks After Botched Butt Implant Procedure | NYC Mom Dies During Botched Implant Procedure by Sham Plastic Surgeon