Texas dentist Dr. Chrishelle Hemphill, 48, was arrested on Wednesday, July 15, and charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, a second-degree felony. The charge follows an investigation into the death of 4-year-old Aithana Rodríguez-Arriaga on April 1.
Prosecutors allege that Hemphill administered a toxic dose of an opioid to the child during what was supposed to be a routine dental procedure. In the months following the incident, investigators interviewed witnesses who were present at the clinic and consulted medical experts as well as investigators from the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.
The Fort Worth Police Department said firefighters were the first to respond to Cuddle Kids Dental after the 4-year-old became unresponsive. Rodríguez-Arriaga was then transported to a nearby hospital, where doctors attempted lifesaving treatment.
The mother was unable to accompany her
FOX obtained a statement from the Fort Worth Police Department, which read, “The Crimes Against Children Unit (CACU) began an investigation into this case. Upon their findings, it was determined by the investigators that an offense had occurred and that the doctor performing the procedure on the victim was responsible.”
According to the arrest affidavit, the girl’s mother told investigators she felt rushed into signing consent forms before the procedure and did not fully understand what they contained. She said she watched Hemphill hand her daughter a cup containing liquid medication before she was taken into the treatment room. The mother also said she was not allowed to accompany her daughter during the procedure.
About an hour later, she was called into the room and found her daughter unresponsive. She further alleged that Hemphill attempted to revive the child with a popsicle before emergency responders arrived.
Since the incident, police have encouraged parents to advocate for their children whenever they feel uncomfortable with a medical procedure.
Fort Worth Police Department spokesperson Brad Perez said, “The one thing I would suggest is, if you feel like you want to be there when your child is having a procedure, insist on that.”
He continued, “I believe this mother wanted to check on the child but was unable to do so as the procedure occurred. Perhaps the mother could have seen signs that the doctor did not at the time.”
Perez added that parents who want to remain in the room during a child’s procedure should insist on doing so.
The arrest affidavit states that the 4-year-old had 793 ng/mL of meperidine in her system — a concentration investigators believe is toxic even for an adult.
Although prosecutors believe they have enough evidence to proceed, investigators are continuing to consult the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners regarding the combined effects of the medications administered to the child.
Detectives believe there’s evidence of neglect
One of the lead detectives on the case said, “Throughout this investigation I have learned from Hemphill’s own statements, her staff’s statements and from medical professionals, that there was evident neglect on Hemphill’s part that led to Aithana’s death.”
Hemphill was released later that same day on a $10,000 surety bond. She has not yet entered a plea.
Published: Jul 18, 2026 10:28 am