A Texas dentist has been arrested and charged in the death of a 4-year-old girl who died after undergoing a routine dental procedure, which the investigation found was not medically necessary.

Chrishelle Hemphill, 48, owner of the Cuddle Kids Dental Care clinic, was arrested on Wednesday at her Fort Worth office for the procedure performed on Aithana Rodríguez-Arriaga on April 1.

Authorities charged her with the crime of injury to a minor, a charge for which she could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

The minor died from painkiller toxicity

According to the arrest report, the girl received excessive doses of meperidine (Demerol), an opioid pain reliever, as well as two other sedatives and nitrous oxide.

The investigation determined that the concentration of meperidine found in the minor's body was 793 nanograms per milliliter, a level higher than the usual therapeutic range for adults, located between 200 and 500 nanograms per milliliter.

The report also maintains that the medication was administered twice during the procedure.

After complications, Hemphill began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) maneuvers with the help of another dentist, but the minor died after being transferred to a hospital.

The official cause of death was established as meperidine toxicity.

Surgery was not necessary, according to specialists

The procedure performed sought to correct a lingual frenulum, a condition popularly known as “tongue-tie.”

However, both the pediatrician who usually treated the girl and an otorhinolaryngology specialist informed the researchers that they had previously evaluated Aithana and concluded that there was no evidence to recommend this intervention.

This finding is part of the investigation presented by the Prosecutor's Office.

According to the court order cited by local media, Hemphill told investigators that he was unaware that the combination of the administered medications could be potentially fatal.

Likewise, the file maintains that he used the wrong medication during attempts to resuscitate the patient.

Detective J. Spragins stated in the report that the investigation revealed signs of negligence.

“Throughout this investigation I have learned, from statements by Hemphill, his staff and medical professionals, that there was obvious negligence on the part of Hemphill that led to Aithana's death,” he said.

At a fundraising campaign organized after her death, relatives described Aithana as a girl full of joy and kindness.

"She was a beautiful four-year-old girl, full of life and kindness. Her presence illuminated any place and brought joy to everyone who knew her," they expressed.