New developments in case of 9yearold girl who died after dental visit
Apr 02, 2025
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office has updated a summary of events leading up the death of a 9-year-old girl hours after she underwent dental surgery at a Vista office last month.
Preliminary information stated the young patient was administered anesthesia an
d underwent dental surgery at Dreamtime Dentistry in Vista on March 18.
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SDPD said she was then transitioned to a recovery room following the surgery and was later discharged from the facility.
On Wednesday, the medical examiner's office clarified their previous report on the case, saying the girl fell asleep during her ride home from the office.
Authorities said she remained asleep when she arrived home and was transferred to her bed, where family checked in on her throughout the day.
The girl's family called 911 after finding her unresponsive in bed, the medical examiner's report added.
PREVIOUS: North County dental office releases statement after girl dies post-surgery
Paramedics performed lifesaving measures while transporting the girl to the Rady Children's Hospital Emergency Department where she was pronounced dead.
On Wednesday, the San Diego Police Department told FOX 5/KUSI the department's Child Abuse Unit is handling the investigation.
A spokesperson for Dreamtime Dentistry previously released a statement from her dentist and anesthesiologist, Dr. Ryan Watkins, regarding the incident which said, in part, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our young patient, which occurred several hours after her completed dental procedure."
"Following the procedure, she was discharged in stable condition -- awake, with stable vital signs and protective reflexes intact -- into her mother's care, following our standard post-anesthesia protocols," the statement continued.
The full statement from the dental office can be found here.
The cause of death was listed as "pending" and the manner of death "pending investigation," per the medical examiner's report.
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