14-year-old’s death highlights growing trend of cosmetic procedures on minors

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00:00A 14-year-old girl in Mexico has passed away after undergoing secret cosmetic surgeries,

00:05which her father only discovered at her funeral. Paloma's mother reportedly arranged for her to

00:10secretly undergo breast implants, a Brazilian butt lift, and liposuction, all performed by

00:15her mother's boyfriend, a plastic surgeon in Mexico, according to The Sun. Carlos Arellano,

00:20Paloma's father, was first told that his daughter had died from COVID-19 complications.

00:25But according to the Knightley, at her funeral, relatives noticed her breasts looked larger than

00:30before, prompting Carlos to examine his daughter more closely. That's when the teen's father

00:34reportedly discovered breast implants and surgical scars on Paloma, prompting him to file a formal

00:39complaint and demand an investigation into her death. A subsequent medical examination later

00:44confirmed the presence of the implants and scars. Speaking publicly to demand justice, the father

00:49stated, her death certificate falsely stated, quote, illness as the cause of death in an attempt to

00:55cover up the truth. And according to the Latin Times, Paloma's death has gripped Mexico and even

01:00caught the attention of President Claudia Shinbaum, who has promised to personally review the case.

01:05But Paloma's case is not an isolated tragedy. According to Fox 31, in 2022, Dr. Geoffrey Kim

01:13and nurse anesthetist Rex Meeker were criminally charged in the death of 19-year-old Emeline Nguyen,

01:18who went into a coma after a routine breast augmentation and died 14 months later.

01:23Experts say these deaths are part of a disturbing trend, a rise in cosmetic procedures being performed

01:29on minors. And the problem isn't limited to Mexico. While many surgeons advise against

01:33elective plastic surgery for teenagers, unless part of a medically necessary breast reduction,

01:39and even then, only after physical development, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports

01:44over 22,000 elective cosmetic surgery procedures are done on individuals under 19 in the U.S. every

01:50year, with ear and nose reshaping being the most commonly reported procedure performed. And while

01:55most countries like the U.S. and Mexico reportedly do not have specific age limits for plastic surgery,

02:01they are typically only given to those under 18 with both parents' permission, something that was

02:06not done in the case of Paloma Escobedo. Now, AZ Central reports a Durango attorney general is handling

02:13Paloma's case and stated,

02:14We are investigating a probable lack of care on the part of the mother for placing a minor who

02:19was under her care and custody in risky situations. The surgeon who performed the procedure has also

02:24reportedly had his license suspended and is being investigated for malpractice and potentially

02:29more serious crimes depending on the final autopsy, which could take 10 or more days, according to

02:35the prosecutor. Paloma's father is now leading a campaign under the slogan,

02:39Girls Don't Need Implants, with his message being clear. Children deserve to grow up safe, respected,

02:44and free from the pressures that cost Paloma her life. Share your thoughts and follow us everywhere

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