Girl, 14, dies after undergoing breast and butt lift surgery without her father's knowledge

-SPECIAL REPORT-

Tragedy in Durango - The Death of Paloma Nicole Arellano Escobedo

In a deeply unsettling case that has sparked outrage across Mexico and beyond, 14-year-old Paloma Nicole Arellano Escobedo died on September 20, 2025, following a series of clandestine cosmetic surgeries that were allegedly performed without her father's knowledge or legal consent.

The procedures included breast augmentation, liposuction, and a Brazilian Butt Lift, high-risk surgeries even for adults, let alone a minor.

Paloma’s father, Carlos Arellano, was initially led to believe that his daughter had contracted COVID-19 and was isolating in the Durango mountains with her mother. This narrative was presented by his ex-wife, who claimed that both she and Paloma had tested positive and would be unreachable due to lack of phone coverage.

Days later, Carlos received a devastating call informing him that Paloma was in critical condition at Santa María Clinic, intubated and in a medically induced coma. She died shortly thereafter.

The truth began to unravel at Paloma’s funeral. Carlos noticed physical changes in his daughter’s body and was informed by relatives that her breasts appeared larger than before. When he confronted his ex-wife, she denied any knowledge of surgery. Insisting on a private moment with his daughter’s body, Carlos and close family members discovered surgical scars and implants, prompting him to demand an autopsy.

Investigations revealed that the surgeries were performed at a private clinic owned by Víctor “N,” a 45-year-old plastic surgeon who is reportedly the current boyfriend of Paloma’s mother. The Durango Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the procedures led to severe medical complications, including cerebral edema and lung damage. Paloma was placed on life support but succumbed to her injuries a week later.

Mexico does not have a fixed minimum age for cosmetic surgery, but procedures on minors typically require consent from both parents. In this case, Carlos alleges he was deliberately excluded and deceived. He has accused his ex-wife and her partner of negligence and is demanding full accountability.

Authorities have launched a formal investigation, and the Mexican Association of Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgeons has suspended Dr. Víctor’s license pending further inquiry.

The initial death certificate cited respiratory illness as the cause of death, a claim Carlos disputes as part of a cover-up. He noted the suspicious speed with which the certificate was issued and has called for criminal charges against all involved. The final pathological report is expected within weeks, but the emotional toll and public scrutiny continue to mount.

Paloma’s death has reignited debates around parental consent, medical ethics, and the dangers of cosmetic surgery among minors. It stands as a tragic reminder of the consequences when legal safeguards and parental responsibilities are bypassed in pursuit of aesthetic ideals.