Why a Texas Dentist Is Charged After Girl, 4, Died During Dental Procedure

A Texas pediatric dentist has been arrested on accusations she administered a lethal dose of a sedative that caused the death of a 4-year-old girl during a dental procedure.

Chrishelle Hemphill, 48, was arrested on a warrant on Wednesday, July 15, on a charge of serious bodily injury to a child, according to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.

Chrishelle Hemphill

Authorities allege Hemphill administered meperidine, also known as Demerol, along with two other medications and nitrous oxide during an April 1 frenectomy at Cuddle Kids Dental to correct Aithana Rodriguez Arriaga’s tongue-tie.

The child, who was being treated by Hemphill, didn’t wake up following the procedure. Hemphill and a second dentist attempted CPR until medics arrived. The girl was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

A medical examiner determined that Aithana died from meperidine toxicity. A doctor told a detective that the dosage of meperidine found in Aithana’s system would be toxic for an adult, according to the affidavit.

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