By F.N. D'ALESSIO, Associated Press Writer
1 hour ago

CHICAGO - A 5-year-old Chicago girl who never awoke from her sedation during a visit to the dentist died Wednesday at Children's Memorial Hospital, a hospital official said.

Kindergartner Diamond Brownridge had been in a coma and on life support since the weekend dentist visit, said Julie Pesch, a spokeswoman for Children's Memorial Hospital.

Family members have said Diamond received a triple dose of sedatives _ an oral agent, an intravenous drug and nitrous oxide gas _ during Saturday's exam at Little Angel Dental. The girl was having two cavities filled and caps placed on her lower front teeth.

The girl's mother, Ommettress Travis, has said she was asked to leave the room during the half-hour procedure. When she returned, her daughter was lying in the dental chair, not breathing, Travis said.

"She passed very peacefully and beautifully," a family statement released by the hospital said.

A Chicago law firm, Clifford Law Offices, also filed paperwork to begin exploring if a malpractice case would have merit, said Thomas K. Prindable, managing partner of the firm.

The girl's dentist, Hicham Riba, was certified to administer anesthesia to patients and his state license was current, said Susan Hofer, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

A written statement from Riba on Wednesday night extended condolences to the girl's family. "(My family and I) are so sad," he said. "May God bless Diamond and her family."

The telephone rang unanswered at Riba's home Wednesday night.

little angel dental??
somehow makes it even worse

What an awful thing to happen to such a young child


[Edited 9/27/06 22:58pm]

emm said:

I know right...

peace to her family

awwwww...

emm said:

I was thinking the exact same thing! Kind of ironic that a dental office that has that name would be responsible for the death of such a young innocent child.

How horrific!!! And what a shame that her mother couldn't be with her during that time.