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Woman Denounces Alleged 'Barber-Turned-Surgeon' After Near-Fatal Cosmetic Procedure
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic /Crime & Justice

Woman Denounces Alleged 'Barber-Turned-Surgeon' After Near-Fatal Cosmetic Procedure

From Diario Libre · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A woman in the Dominican Republic has accused a man identified as Enmanuel Hernández, also known as Enmanuel Torreira, of practicing medicine without authorization and nearly causing her death during a cosmetic surgery.
  • The accuser, Gloria Mejía, stated that Hernández, who allegedly transitioned from barber to plastic surgeon, performed a procedure for 350,000 pesos in a poorly finished clinic.
  • Hernández is also being sought by police in connection with the death of another patient, Rebecca Brizard, and reportedly fled to Colombia.

Gloria Mejía, a Dominican woman residing in the United States, has come forward with a distressing account of a near-fatal experience following a cosmetic surgery. She alleges that Enmanuel Hernández, who she claims presented himself as Enmanuel Torreira and is also known as a "barber turned plastic surgeon," performed the procedure.

He told me his name was Enmanuel Torreira, but now I see they call him the one who went from barber to plastic surgeon.

— Gloria MejíaThe accuser describes the alleged perpetrator's transition in professions.

Mejía traveled to Santo Domingo for the surgery and was recommended a clinic in Los Mameyes. According to her testimony, Hernández assured her of his competence and quoted her 400,000 pesos for the procedure, later reducing it to 350,000 pesos. She recounts being taken to a clinic that appeared unfinished or under construction.

He said he had never had a patient like me and that he didn't know what to do. I had the wound open and he told me to wash it with soap and water every day.

— Gloria MejíaMejía recounts the post-operative care instructions she received.

Following the surgery, Mejía discovered she had no stitches and part of her skin had detached. Hernández reportedly took her back to the operating room and then advised her to clean the wound with soap and water. He allegedly admitted to never having a patient like her and offered to refund her money if she didn't report him. Mejía states she only received 50,000 pesos back before Hernández disappeared.

He said he had never had a patient like me, referring to me, and that he didn't know what to do. I had the wound open and he told me to wash it with soap and water and clean it every day.

— Gloria MejíaMejía describes the immediate aftermath of the surgery.

Seeking further medical attention, Mejía consulted another doctor, who diagnosed a severe infection requiring six months of treatment. Meanwhile, Hernández is a fugitive, sought by the National Police for the death of Rebecca Brizard, who also underwent a cosmetic procedure. Authorities confirmed Hernández fled to Colombia on July 25.

He said he had never had a patient like me, referring to me, and that he didn't know what to do. I had the wound open and he told me to wash it with soap and water and clean it every day.

— Gloria MejíaMejía recounts the post-operative care instructions she received.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Diario Libre in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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