Two New Jersey families whose children died during visits to the same dentist are seeking a criminal investigation into the deaths, NJ.com reported. The families have hired an attorney together.
Last week, Juan Quiej, age 3, died after going into cardiac arrest during a procedure to address caries while under local anesthesia, according to the article. He had been restrained in a papoose when he went limp, his lips turned blue, and stopped breathing. Quiej passed away in a local hospital. Patrick Bamgboye, DDS, of Dental Health Associates was already under probation after another similar death in 2004.
Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray announced in a statement that her office and the attorney general's office are exploring the possibility of a criminal probe into the latest death, the article stated. The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has already begun an investigation.
In 2004, 5-year-old Kyneicha Pagan, who had cerebral palsy, died after local anesthesia was administered while she was restrained. According to a medical examiner, Pagan died of natural causes due to her various medical conditions, the article noted.
The New Jersey State Board of Dentistry filed a complaint against the dentist following an investigation, but an administrative law judge determined that there was no gross negligence on Dr. Bamgboye's part two years later. Nonetheless, he was suspended by the board for a three-month span beginning in January 2011 and subsequently put on probation for 21 months, according to the article. The board noted that Dr. Bamgboye should have made more of an effort to learn about the girl's condition before proceeding.
An attorney for the clinic cautioned a rush to judgment about two very different cases and said that Dr. Bamgboye, who has taken a leave of absence, is cooperating with the investigation.
