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Queens man performed illegal surgery that left woman brain dead, NYPD says
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Apr 3, 2025
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By
Giulia Heyward
Published Apr 3, 2025
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A Queens man is facing felony charges after allegedly performing a surgical procedure without a license on a woman who police say is unlikely to survive.
Felipe Hoyos-Foronda, 38, was arrested Friday. A criminal complaint from the NYPD alleges he performed the procedure inside a residence on 35th Street in Astoria, injecting the 31-year-old woman with lidocaine and causing her to go into cardiac arrest.
The woman was taken to Astoria General Hospital, where she remained intubated with no brain activity, according to the complaint. A doctor cited in the complaint said her condition indicated lidocaine toxicity and that she was not expected to survive.
Hoyos-Foronda was charged with second-degree assault and unauthorized practice of a profession. He was ordered held without bail at his arraignment on Sunday, and was due back in court on Thursday.
An attorney for Hoyos-Foronda was not immediately available for comment when contacted by Gothamist.
Police urged any other potential victims to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
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queens
public safety
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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