A Mexican plastic surgeon has been suspended after allegedly performing cosmetic procedures on his girlfriend’s 14-year-old daughter, who died days later.

According to the Daily Mail, authorities are investigating surgeon Víctor Manuel Rosales Galindo for malpractice after the death of Paloma Nicole Arellano Escobedo, who reportedly underwent a breast augmentation, Brazilian butt lift, and liposuction without her father’s knowledge. The operations allegedly took place just before her upcoming 15th birthday.

Her father, Carlos Arellano, said he only discovered his daughter had undergone cosmetic surgeries during her funeral, claiming her mother, Paloma Escobedo Quiñónez, kept the procedures secret.

Father alleges cover-up of medical procedures

Carlos Arellano said relatives noticed changes in Paloma’s body at the funeral, leading to suspicions. When pressing her mother about it, he said she denied any surgeries had been done, but he later confirmed it himself after seeing surgical scars and implants.

He stated that his daughter’s mother told him a day before Paloma’s death that she was sick with Covid-19, which he believes was a false explanation meant to hide the truth. He insists the procedures, not illness, triggered the medical complications that killed her.

Paloma reportedly suffered cardiorespiratory arrest and swelling in her brain in the days following the operations. Doctors placed her in an induced coma and connected her to a ventilator, but she died shortly after.

Autopsy findings disputed by grieving family

According to official records, Paloma’s cause of death was cerebral edema linked to a respiratory issue. However, her father has publicly rejected this version of events, alleging her death was directly caused by unnecessary plastic surgery on a minor.

He said autopsy photos show clear evidence of implants and scars, which he believes prove she was subjected to risky and inappropriate procedures. He has accused both the surgeon and his ex-wife of attempting to conceal the circumstances surrounding her death.

In a Facebook post, Arellano called the situation “criminal negligence” and claimed there was an intentional effort to classify her death as an illness on the certificate. He filed a complaint with local prosecutors demanding accountability for everyone involved.

Criminal probe sparks political reaction

The Durango Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into the case, with Galindo suspended from practicing medicine in Mexico while inquiries continue. Escobedo Quiñónez, who worked as a nurse in Galindo’s clinic, is also under scrutiny for her role in arranging the surgeries.

The case has sparked outrage across Mexico, with widespread calls for justice in what many believe is a gross ethical violation. Critics argue no medical institution should have allowed someone so young to undergo invasive cosmetic procedures.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum commented on the case this week, saying, “Send us the case and we will gladly reach out to the family and see how we can help,” signaling that national authorities may intervene.

Lessons to Learn From This Tragedy

1. Know your legal rights as a parent: Especially in cases involving joint custody or shared guardianship, both parents are usually required to provide consent for any medical or surgical procedures on a minor. Education about parental rights can prevent such devastating surprises.

2. Minors and cosmetic surgeries carry enormous risks: Medical procedures on underage individuals—especially elective cosmetic surgeries—are ethically controversial and medically dangerous. Parents, guardians, and medical professionals must hold firm boundaries to protect the physical and emotional health of adolescents.

3. Be vigilant about post-operative symptoms: If someone appears unwell after a medical procedure, prompt and accurate disclosure about their condition could be life-saving. Concealing symptoms or misinformation, as seen in this case, can delay urgently needed medical interventions.

No matter how many safety precautions are taken, crimes like this can still happen. Victims should never be blamed. The focus must always remain on accountability and justice.

Why This Story Matters

This case highlights the devastating consequences of illegal medical practices and a lack of oversight in the cosmetic surgery industry. It also brings into sharp relief the importance of consent, particularly concerning minors. The tragic loss of a young life underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of medical regulations and child protection laws.

Final Thoughts on a Heartbreaking Case

A young girl, Paloma Nicole Arellano Escobedo, lost her life after allegedly undergoing multiple cosmetic procedures at the hands of her stepfather, Víctor Manuel Rosales Galindo. The surgeries were reportedly arranged by her mother without the knowledge of her father, who only discovered the truth at her funeral. An official investigation is underway, and her mourning father is demanding justice, alleging both medical malpractice and a cover-up by those involved.