A Texas dentist has been arrested and charged with recklessly causing serious bodily injury to a child following the death of a 4-year-old patient, Aithana Rodríguez-Arriaga, who died after a dental procedure in April.
Dr. Chrishelle Hemphill, 48, was taken into custody Wednesday and faces a second-degree felony charge. The arrest followed a months-long investigation by the Fort Worth Police Department's Crimes Against Children Unit.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Aithana's mother reported feeling rushed to sign paperwork before the procedure. She stated that Hemphill administered liquid medication to her daughter and that she was not permitted to remain with her child during the treatment. Approximately one hour later, the child was reportedly unresponsive when brought back into the room, and emergency services were called. Aithana was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner later ruled the child's death an accident caused by meperidine toxicity. The affidavit states that the level of meperidine found in Aithana's system was considered toxic even for an adult. Investigators consulted with medical experts who concluded that while individual medications administered—chloral hydrate, hydroxyzine, and meperidine, in addition to nitrous oxide—were within recommended limits, Hemphill allegedly failed to account for their combined effect.
Police further allege that Hemphill did not recognize signs of respiratory distress in the child and administered flumazenil, a drug that reverses benzodiazepines, instead of naloxone (Narcan), which is used to counter opioid overdoses. Records indicated no benzodiazepines were present in the child's system.
An independent anesthesiologist's findings, cited in the affidavit, suggested that Aithana was not adequately monitored during the recovery period after sedation and that the emergency response was insufficient for opioid-induced respiratory depression.
The investigation also reportedly uncovered concerns within the dental office, including syringes with leftover medication that staff allegedly intended to save for future use and confusion regarding the location of Narcan during the emergency. A detective wrote in the affidavit that statements from Hemphill, her staff, and medical professionals indicated "evident neglect on Hemphill's part that led to Aithana's death."
Fort Worth Police Department spokesperson Brad Perez advised parents to advocate for their children during medical procedures. Hemphill had no prior disciplinary actions against her dental license, which remained active with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners at the time of her arrest.
Chrishelle Hemphill was booked into jail and later released on a $10,000 surety bond. The Tarrant County District Attorney's Office is currently reviewing the case. Aithana Rodríguez-Arriaga is remembered by her family as a bright and kind child. A GoFundMe page has been established to help cover funeral expenses and support her grieving family.