Fake Queens doctor accused of killing woman during botched plastic surgery

Editor's note: The above video aired April 2, 2025.

ASTORIA, Queens (PIX11) -- A fake doctor is accused of killing a woman during a botched butt implant removal surgery at a makeshift office in his Queens home last month, authorities said.

Felipe Hoyos Foronda, 37, was indicted Monday on charges of manslaughter, assault and unauthorized practice of a profession for allegedly preforming the procedure in his Astoria apartment on the afternoon of March 28, prosecutors said.

Maria Penaloza, 31, and a friend went to the defendant's home to have her silicone butt implants removed. Hoyos Foronda allegedly gave the mother-of-two a likely lethal dose of lidocaine, a local anesthetic, and saline before she became lightheaded, according to court documents.

When her condition didn't improve, he allegedly gave her an IV and called 911, prosecutors said. Paramedics found Penaloza unconscious in a chair and rushed her to the hospital in critical condition.

Prosecutors said the victim was then intubated, had no brain activity and was taken off life support on April 11.

Hoyos Foronda, who does not have a medical license to in the United States, allegedly tried to flee to Columbia before he was nabbed at JFK Airport, authorities said.

Investigators found medical equipment and a binder of patients in his apartment, according to court records.

Hoyos Foronda pled not guilty during his arraignment and is being held without bail, according to court records.

His attorney could not immediately be reached Monday.

Anyone who may have utilized the defendant’s services or visited the makeshift medical office on 35th Street in Astoria is urged to contact NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Anyone seeking medical or cosmetic treatments is urged to first check the credentials of the provider with the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions.