Crystal Dike
Grieving father Carlos Arellano has accused doctors, clinic staff, and his estranged wife of negligence and concealment after the death of his 14-year-old daughter, who allegedly underwent a secret breast enlargement surgery in northern Mexico earlier this month.
The teenager, identified as Paloma Nicole Arellano Escobedo, reportedly underwent breast enlargement surgery on 12 September at a private clinic in Durango. According to her father, Carlos Arellano, the procedure was conducted without his knowledge or consent and involved the collaboration of the girl’s mother.
Mr. Arellano said Paloma was hospitalized soon after the operation, suffering cardiorespiratory arrest and cerebral edema, which left her in a coma and later intubated. She died roughly a week later.
The official death certificate attributes the cause to cerebral edema secondary to a respiratory illness. However, Mr. Arellano rejects this explanation, alleging falsification of medical records and concealment of the true circumstances. He revealed that he only discovered implants and surgical scars at his daughter’s burial. On Tuesday, he publicly accused the operating surgeon, clinic staff, and the girl’s mother of negligence and cover-up, demanding criminal charges. “They deceived me, hid the surgery, and let my daughter die,” he said.
The Durango State Health Department confirmed that an investigation has been opened into the clinic and medical personnel, with officials saying all parties involved would be questioned. Local advocacy groups have condemned the case, describing it as “a failure of oversight and medical ethics,” and some have urged tougher regulations on cosmetic procedures for minors. On social media, the case has provoked outrage. Many users called for justice and stricter laws, with messages such as “No child should die for vanity surgery” gaining traction online. Meanwhile, the girl’s mother has not made a detailed public statement, though local reports suggest she disputes the father’s version of events.
The incident has reignited scrutiny of Mexico’s cosmetic surgery industry. Over the past three years, the country’s federal health regulator, Cofepris, has closed dozens of unlicensed clinics, but cases of clandestine or irregular procedures continue to emerge. As the investigation unfolds, key questions remain: Was parental consent properly documented? Were medical protocols followed? And could Paloma’s death have been prevented?
For now, the tragedy of a 14-year-old’s death has left a family divided, a community outraged, and authorities under pressure to ensure accountability.