Dr. Ben Brown, a plastic surgeon from Florida, is facing charges for the death of his wife, Hillary Brown.
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On November 21, 2023, Hillary Brown underwent several cosmetic procedures at Restore Plastic Surgery, the clinic owned by her husband, Dr. Ben Brown.
According to reports, Mrs. Brown underwent multiple cosmetic procedures, including liposuction and injections, at Dr. Brown's clinic. Investigators believe she suffered a cardiac arrest after developing lidocaine toxicity. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic commonly used in cosmetic surgeries.
A medical assistant asked Dr. Brown whether they should call 911 after his wife Hillary had a seizure. Despite Hillary needing urgent care, Dr. Brown told the assistant not to call or to wait.
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| Hillary Brown |
The assistant, new and scared, followed his orders. Dr. Brown then yelled at his staff and questioned what Hillary had taken. It took him 10 to 20 minutes before he finally told an assistant to call 911.
Sadly, Hillary, who had three young children from a previous marriage, was in a coma for a week and eventually passed away after being taken off life support due to severe brain damage from lack of oxygen.
A troubling detail of the case involves the alleged delay in seeking medical attention. Reports claim Dr. Brown did not call 911 for nearly 20 minutes after his wife showed signs of distress, including seizures. This delay in critical care could have significantly impacted her chances of survival.
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| Florida Dept of Health launched an inquiry into Dr. Brown's practice |
These concerns included questions about the use of sterile equipment and whether Dr. Brown performed procedures outside the scope of his expertise on other patients.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office conducted an investigation which concluded that Dr. Brown had overmedicated his wife, leading to her cardiac arrest. As a result, Dr. Brown was charged with second-degree felony homicide for manslaughter by culpable negligence.
On June 17, 2024, Dr. Brown surrendered to the authorities and was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail. He appeared in court and was released on a $50,000 bond.
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| The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office |
Hillary’s father, Marty Ellington, expressed deep sorrow and anger, blaming Dr. Brown's negligence for his daughter's death. He voiced the family's great loss and their seek for justice.
This case has also raised significant concerns within the medical community about safety and ethical standards. The Florida Department of Health is conducting its own investigation, which could result in additional sanctions, including the possible revocation of Dr. Brown's medical license.
Dr. Brown’s situation highlights the critical need for strict medical regulations and accountability in healthcare. Hillary Brown's tragic death has deeply affected her family and community. Dr. Brown faces legal proceedings serve as a reminder of the importance of careful and ethical medical practice to prevent such tragedies.