Bad laser hair removal leads to arrest

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police have arrested an unlicensed practitioner after he burned a patient while improperly administered laser hair removal.

Miami-Dade Police detectives arrested 48-year-old Larry DeJesus Thursday for allegedly acting like a real doctor to perform laser hair removal.

According to investigators, on Aug. 5, 2009, Monica Jimenez was scheduled for a laser hair removal procedure at 3621 SW 107 Ave., where she met with DeJesus. Jimenez said she believed DeJesus was a licensed practitioner.

During the laser hair removal procedure, administered by DeJesus, Jimenez expressed concern over the level of pain and discomfort she was experiencing. "She began to complain and said this was burning her. The unlicensed practitioner then began to treat that boil. He then punctured it, relieved it and unfortunately, all he did was give her some sort of topical anesthesia, topical cream," said Miami-Dade Police Detective Roy Rutland.

Jimenez feared for her health and visited an emergency room. "The burns were so severe that she actually had to go to a hospital and be treated for second and third degree burns by legitimate medical staff," Rutland said.

Jimenez filed a complaint with the Department of Health, whose investigation revealed that the subject was unlicensed. The case was then turned over to Miami-Dade Police for further investigation.

Jimenez's attorney, Spencer Aronfeld, said she had just lost a lot of weight and wanted to undergo a procedure to make her feel better about herself.

"These are permanent scars, and there's nothing that can be done about it. She's constantly in pain and every time that she sweats, and living here in South Florida, we're all sweating, she gets a very strong pain sensation under her arms," he explained.

Aronfeld has also filed a lawsuit against the fake doctor. Aronfeld said DeJesus performed a procedure that left Jimenez in pain both physically and psychologically. "The scars have healed and keloid, and they're very visible, and she has a significant amount of pain every time she moves her arm," he said.

DeJesus has been charged with unlicensed practice of health care with serious injuries.

Miami-Dade Police believe there are other victims out there. If you believe you may be a victim of this unlicensed practitioner, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

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