A 27-year-old woman is dead, and the founder of a Kingsbridge wellness center is facing criminal charges after police say she suffered a medical emergency during treatment.
Elizabeth Baron received treatment at the Bereshit Lifestyle Center on Riverdale Avenue, where police say she was injected with an unknown substance. She became unconscious inside the facility before being rushed to NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
The center’s founder, 55-year-old Luis Rojas Cabrera, has been arrested and charged with reckless endangerment and the unauthorized practice of a profession.
On the center’s website, Cabrera describes himself as a surgeon and naturopath offering holistic medicine, natural therapies, weight-loss treatments and other wellness services. The website also includes a disclaimer stating its therapies have not been clinically proven or evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to replace care from a licensed physician.
Investigators say the Medical Examiner’s findings will help determine whether additional charges are warranted.
News 12 reached out to the Bereshit Lifestyle Center for comment but has not received a response.
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