A dentist, Bethaniel Jefferson, has been placed on probation just seven years after doing a root canal on a 4-year-old girl, which resulted in her permanent brain damage, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
James Moriarty, the girl’s family attorney, said back in September 2022,
“Nevaeh Hall … is conscious, but can no longer see, speak, walk or eat on her own. She requires 24-hour medical care.”
Reports say the dentist allegedly waited hours before contacting emergency officials during the procedure that occurred in January 2016. The young girl became unconscious while still at the dentist and was later diagnosed with brain damage.
Jefferson’s medical license was rescinded back in Nov. 2016 by the Texas Dental Board, according to KWTX. This week, Jefferson was declared guilty of recklessly causing serious bodily injury to a child by omission. Although the jury suggested that she spend 10 years behind bars, the judge sentenced her to a five-year probationary period.
The sentence comes just one year after the girl’s family was granted $95.5 million in damages amid a family trial; however, her family is unlikely to receive that amount because the dentist doesn’t have the funds to compensate them, a family lawyer told KTRK.
