Following the death of an 18-year-old patient 14 months after a botched procedure, a prominent Colorado plastic surgeon is facing manslaughter charges.
After a warrant for his arrest was issued, Dr. Geoffrey Kim, 52, surrendered to Arapahoe County Sheriff’s officers on Wednesday, Feb. 16.
Prosecutors have yet to file the criminal complaint, but the surgeon is expected to face several charges, including felony negligent homicide, reckless manslaughter and misdemeanor obstruction of service, said Vikki Migoya, a spokesperson with the Office of the District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District.
Kim was released shortly after his arrest and posted a $5,000 bond. According to investigators, Kim was supposed to perform a breast augmentation surgery on 18-year old Emmalyn Nguyen on Aug. 1, 2019 when the teen went into cardiac arrest after she was placed
under anesthesia by nurse anesthetist Rex Meeker.
Investigators said Kim admitted he did not call 911 for at least five hours. Nguyen was left brain dead and unable to speak or walk.
She died 14 months later.
In a statement, Travis Stewart, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Captain of Investigations, said, “The investigation took more than two years to complete and required dozens of interviews and search warrants.”
“Our hope is that this will be the first step toward bringing Emmalyn’s family justice and closure.
“Rex Meeker is also charged with felony reckless manslaughter and is expected to surrender on Friday, Feb. 18, according to Ginger Delgado, a spokesperson for the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office.
A warrant also has been issued for his arrest.
Lou Shapiro, a Los Angeles-based criminal defense attorney, said it’s highly unusual for a medical doctor to face criminal charges over patient care, but the alleged facts in Kim’s case are “disturbing.”
World News