ASTORIA, NY – A Queens man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after performing a botched cosmetic surgery in his apartment that led to the death of a 31-year-old woman.
The Illegal Procedure
Felipe Hoyos Foronda, 40, admitted to performing a surgical procedure to remove butt implants from Maria Penaloza inside his Astoria apartment on March 28, 2025. According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, Hoyos Foronda was operating a makeshift surgical clinic without a United States medical license.
During the procedure, Hoyos Foronda administered lidocaine and saline through a syringe. Penaloza immediately became lightheaded and went into cardiac arrest.
Fleeing the Scene
The DA’s office stated that Hoyos Foronda called 911 but fled the apartment before first responders arrived. Paramedics found Penaloza unconscious on a medical chair. She was rushed to a local hospital, where she showed no brain activity and was placed on life support. She died two weeks later from lidocaine toxicity.
Later that same day, police intercepted Hoyos Foronda at John F. Kennedy International Airport, where he was attempting to board a flight to Colombia.
The Conviction and Sentencing
A search of the apartment revealed a setup of medical equipment, including an IV stand, injectables, and syringes. While Hoyos Foronda initially pleaded not guilty in April 2025, he officially changed his plea to guilty on Thursday.
- Charges: Second-degree manslaughter
- Sentencing Date: July 30, 2026
- Facing Penalty: 5 to 15 years in state prison
