A prominent Colorado plastic surgeon is facing manslaughter charges following the death of an 18-year old patient 14 months after a botched surgery.
Dr. Geoffrey Kim, 52, turned himself in to Arapahoe County Sheriff’s officials on Wednesday, Feb. 16, after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Prosecutors have yet to file the criminal complaint, but the surgeon is expected to face several charges, including felony negligent homicide, reckless manslaughter and misdemeanor obstruction of service, said Vikki Migoya, a spokesperson with the Office of the District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District.
Kim was released shortly after his arrest and posted a $5,000 bond.
According to investigators, Kim was supposed to perform a breast augmentation surgery on 18-year old Emmalyn Nguyen on Aug. 1, 2019 when the teen went into cardiac arrest after she was placed under anesthesia by nurse anesthetist Rex Meeker.
Investigators said Kim admitted he did not call 911 for at least five hours. Nguyen was left brain dead and unable to speak or walk. She died 14 months later.
“The investigation has taken more than two years to complete and involved dozens of interviews and search warrants,” said Travis Stewart, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Captain of Investigations, in a statement. “Our hope is that this will be the beginning of bringing justice and a sense of closure to Emmalyn’s family.”
Rex Meeker is also facing a felony reckless manslaughter charge and is expected to turn himself in sometime on Friday, Feb. 18, Ginger Delgado, spokesperson for the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, told The Post. A warrant also has been issued for his arrest.
Lou Shapiro, a Los Angeles-based criminal defense attorney, said it’s highly unusual for a medical doctor to face criminal charges over patient care, but the alleged facts in Kim’s case are “disturbing.”