Plastic Surgeon Charged with Manslaughter in Wife's Death

PENSACOLA, Fla. - A plastic surgeon in the Florida Panhandle has been charged with manslaughter after his wife suffered cardiac arrest and died days after undergoing after-hours procedures at his clinic. Benjamin Brown was arrested on Monday on a charge of manslaughter by culpable negligence and was later released on a $50,000 bond.

The incident occurred last November when Benjamin Brown was performing procedures on his wife, Hillary Brown, at his clinic in Pensacola. According to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office, Hillary went into cardiac arrest during the procedures and was subsequently taken to a hospital where she tragically passed away a week later.

Last month, the Florida Department of Health filed an administrative complaint against Benjamin Brown before the state Board of Medicine, seeking penalties that may include the revocation or suspension of his license. The complaint not only addressed his wife's case but also spotlighted other instances. The Department of Health's complaint stated that Hillary Brown had self-administered anesthesia and prepared intravenous bags without the supervision of her husband or any other health care practitioner.

The complaint further revealed that Hillary had ingested several pills, including a sedative, pain killer, and antibiotic, before falling into a sedated state. However, the consumption of these pills was not documented. The Department of Health emphasized that physicians are expected to adhere to the minimum prevailing professional standard of care, which prohibits patients from preparing medication for use during their own surgeries.

During the procedures, Hillary began experiencing muscle twitches and blurry vision, informing her husband about her symptoms. Benjamin Brown proceeded to inject more lidocaine, an anesthetic, into her face. However, her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she became unresponsive and suffered a seizure. Shockingly, an assistant asked if they should call 911, and Benjamin Brown repeatedly declined.

After approximately 10 to 20 minutes, when Hillary's breathing became shallow and her pulse and blood oxygen levels dropped, Benjamin finally instructed his assistants to call for paramedics. He then commenced resuscitation efforts, but it was too late to save his wife.

The Department of Health has taken immediate action by restricting Benjamin Brown's license to perform procedures only at a hospital under the supervision of another physician. The emergency order revealed that Hillary had been administering injections and performing laser treatments on patients despite not being a licensed health care practitioner.

The order described Benjamin Brown's treatment of his wife as "careless and haphazard," noting that the level of disregard he showed towards patient safety, even when the patient was his wife, indicated his inability to provide the necessary level of care to future patients.

No information about Benjamin Brown's legal representation was available as of Tuesday morning. The case has sparked concerns about patient safety and the importance of strict adherence to medical standards in plastic surgery. The investigation and legal proceedings will determine the full extent of Benjamin Brown's culpability in his wife's tragic death.