The tragic death of 14-year-old Paloma Nicole in Durango has sparked a complex judicial investigation and raised serious questions about medical ethics and family responsibility. The ordeal began when Paloma’s mother told her father, Carlos Arellano, that they would isolate in the mountains due to a COVID-19 scare, warning that communication might be limited. Trusting her, Carlos did not suspect anything unusual.

On September 15, Carlos was shocked to learn Paloma had been hospitalized at Clínica Santa María in critical condition following a cardiorespiratory arrest that caused severe brain damage. Initially, doctors noted slight improvements, but her condition rapidly worsened, and she was pronounced brain dead on September 20.

Carlos publicly accused the clinic of performing unauthorized cosmetic surgery on Paloma without his consent. He alleged that the surgery, conducted by Dr. V. M. M. R. G.—reportedly Paloma’s stepfather and son of a magistrate—was concealed by falsely listing “illness” as the cause of death. Surgical scars found during the wake supported his claims.

The Durango State Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation, including a necropsy to determine the true cause of death. This case has sparked public debate over cosmetic procedures on minors and the need for stricter consent protocols in private clinics.

On September 22, hundreds attended Paloma’s funeral, with her father publicly demanding justice. Authorities continue to analyze medical records and await pathology results, which will be crucial in clarifying legal responsibility and potential medical negligence.