A 27-year-old woman died after receiving an injection at a Bronx wellness center. Authorities arrested 55-year-old Luis Rojas Cabrera, charging him with reckless endangerment and the unauthorized practice of a profession. Investigations by the New York Police Department indicate the victim, Elizabeth Baron, collapsed during the procedure and later died at a local hospital.
Incident at Bereshit Lifestyle Center
The incident occurred at the Bereshit Lifestyle Center located on Riverdale Avenue in the Bronx. According to the New York City Police Department, Elizabeth Baron received an injection described as a supposed anti-aging serum. Shortly after the administration of the substance, Baron lost consciousness.
Emergency personnel were notified by staff at the facility, and Baron was transported to the NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital. She was pronounced dead at approximately 1:10 p.m.
Legal Status and Charges
Following the death, police took Luis Rojas Cabrera into custody. Prosecutors have charged him with reckless endangerment and practicing medicine without a license in the United States.
While reports indicate that Rojas Cabrera may hold medical credentials in the Dominican Republic, he lacked the necessary licensure to practice medicine within the United States. According to his website, he had presented himself as a surgeon and naturopath in the Dominican Republic, and as a practitioner of holistic and alternative medicine within New York.
Ongoing Investigation and Toxicology
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of New York City is currently conducting a toxicology analysis to determine the specific cause of Baron’s death. Law enforcement officials have indicated that the results of these tests are critical to the ongoing investigation and may lead to the filing of additional or modified charges against Rojas Cabrera.