AUSTIN, TX — The family of the 14-month-old girl who died after a visit to the dentist has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Austin Children’s Dentistry.
Her parents are suing the practice, the dentist, the anesthesiologist and the Texas Anesthesiology Association.
Daisy Lynn Torres died on March 29, 2016. The cause of death was determined to be the result of anesthesia administered for the treatment of tooth decay, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Betty Squier, the girl’s mother, said the dental office told her that there were more problems with her daughter’s teeth than expected; she had six cavities, four more than they thought she had.
A report from a forensic dental examiner questioned why Torres was having a dental procedure before she died, prompting the dental practice to suspect the child’s dentist. “One can only speculate as to why any treatment was performed considering no indication of dental disease or pathology was seen in the dental radiographs (x-rays) in the dental visit dated 03/29/2016,” wrote Robert Williams, a forensic odontologist.
The lawsuit claims the girl’s death was part of a corporate scheme to bill Medicaid for unnecessary dental procedures. Her parents are now suing for $1 million.
Their attorney told us Tuesday night they hope this lawsuit will protect other children from the dangers of pediatric predators and their money-making schemes.
News station KXAN reached out to the spokesperson for Austin Children’s Dentistry. She told us they haven’t been officially notified of the lawsuit, and they hope to provide a statement Wednesday.
