A TEXAS DENTIST WAS ARRESTED AFTER SHE ADMINISTERED LETHAL DOSES OF DEMEROL TO A 4-YEAR-OLD LITTLE GIRL WHO WAS JUST THERE FOR A SIMPLE VISIT.(PHOTO).

 A Texas dentist was arrested after she administered lethal doses of Demerol to a 4-year-old little girl who was just there for a simple visit. 

 

48-year-old Chrishelle Hemphill was taken into custody outside of Cuddle Kids Dental Care on Wednesday, July 15th. She is being charged with felony injury to a child.

Aithana Arriaga passed away on April 1st of 2026 when a visit to her dentist, Dr. Chrishelle Hemphill, went fatally wrong. 

Aithana's parents had brought her in to Cuddle Kids Dental Care in Fort Worth, Texas, for a simple tongue-tie procedure. After some final reassurances that everything would be easy and pain-free, they sent their daughter to her appointment and would never see her alive again.

Aithana would ultimately pass away from Meperidine (Demerol) toxicity. Post mortem testing would show that this young girl had 793 nanograms per millimeter of the drug in her system. The normal adult range is 200 to 500 nanograms per millimeter.

The investigation into Aithana's death showed that Dr. Hemphill had administered a dose of Meperidine (Demerol) via oral solution to the child that would be considered high for an adult. In addition, Dr. Hemphill administered two other sedatives and nitrous oxide.

Aithana became unresponsive and was in clear distress during the procedure. Dr. Hemphill began CPR on the child in an attempt to revive Aithana.  A second dentist saw what was happening and stepped in, taking over the life-saving measures until EMS arrived. 

Sadly, Aithana would be pronounced deceased a short time later. 

Our thoughts are with the family of Aithana Arriaga.