Child’s Injury Leads to Indictment of Former Houston Dentist
HOUSTON (AP) — A grand jury in Houston has indicted a former dentist who authorities say failed to provide medical attention after a 4-year-old patient suffered a seizure that led to permanent brain damage.
Bethaniel Jefferson was indicted Monday on a count of causing serious bodily injury to a child.
Harris County prosecutors allege the child was given sedatives during a January 2016 office visit that led to the seizure and hypoxia — a deficiency marked by a lack of oxygen to the body.
Authorities say Jefferson waited more than four hours before calling for medical assistance to treat the girl.
The Texas Board of Dental Examiners had previously reprimanded Jefferson in 2005 and 2012. The board revoked her license in November.
A public phone listing for Jefferson could not be found.