A search of the Fort Worth dental office where 4-year-old Aithana Arriaga died in April has revealed multiple unsafe medication practices, including the reuse of leftover sedatives, according to newly released search warrant details.

Chrishelle Hemphill, 48, the dentist who treated Aithana, was arrested on July 15 and charged with injury to a child — serious bodily injury. Her dental license has been temporarily suspended.

What Investigators Found
Detectives executing a search warrant at Cuddle Kids Dental Care discovered multiple syringes with varying levels of leftover medication stored in a box. Hemphill reportedly told investigators that the office would reuse medication from previous doses if not fully used.

Experts say this practice is highly dangerous and against standard protocols. Dr. Robert Morgan, a board-certified pediatric dentist, told FOX 4 that unused medication must be properly disposed of in the presence of at least two witnesses to prevent errors, reuse, or abuse.

What Happened to Aithana
On April 1, Aithana underwent a procedure on her tongue. According to the arrest affidavit, Hemphill encouraged the child to drink a clear liquid medicine beforehand. An unusually high amount of meperidine (Demerol, an opiate) was later found in the girl’s system — a level toxic even for an adult.

Aithana did not wake up after the procedure. Her mother told police she felt rushed to sign consent documents. When the child showed signs of respiratory distress, Hemphill allegedly failed to respond appropriately, using the wrong medication (Flumazenil instead of Narcan) and misusing an AED.

A temporary dentist assisted with CPR before Aithana was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

“This Should Have Never Happened”
Dr. Morgan called the event “catastrophic” and said proper monitoring and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification for staff are essential in pediatric dentistry. “What should have been a simple rescue of an airway appears to have cost a child a life,” he said.

Hemphill is out of jail on a $10,000 bond. Her attorney has not responded to requests for comment.

The case has raised serious concerns about safety standards in dental offices, particularly those treating young children. Fort Worth police and the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners continue to investigate.

Main Sources: FOX 4 News, Fort Worth Police Department, and court documents.