A grieving family is searching for answers after the death of a Kentucky mother who traveled to South Florida for cosmetic surgery — and never made it home.
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A recently obtained fire rescue report is now shedding light on what paramedics encountered when they responded to the surgical center. Weeks later, another family says they experienced a similar tragedy linked to the same clinic.
Kenly Millan Aponte, a 35-year-old mother of two from Kentucky, traveled to South Florida for multiple cosmetic procedures, including a tummy tuck and a Brazilian butt lift, according to fire and medical records.
But the procedures would end in tragedy.
Report details delays in care
When paramedics arrived at Svelta Plastic Surgery on Southwest 8th Street, they found Aponte in cardiac arrest on the operating table, according to a Coral Gables Fire Rescue report obtained by her husband.
First responders wrote “no CPR was in progress” at the time and “staff was unable to provide an exact time” of when Aponte went into cardiac arrest.
Attorney Jorge Silva, who represents the family, says the details in the report stand out.
“I have read probably 5,000 to 10,000 fire rescue reports in my career. And I’ve never seen one like this,” he said.
The report reveals first responders were initially dispatched for a patient experiencing breathing problems. But they said there was a delay in reaching Aponte “due to a slow elevator” — and the fact that “no staff member was holding” it for them.
“A young woman is hanging on to life, and that when fire rescue arrived, that there wasn’t even an elevator available for them,” Silva said.
According to the report, clinic staff said they were “almost done” with the procedure when Aponte’s oxygen saturation began to drop.
First responders also documented that no crash cart — equipment containing life-saving tools used in emergencies — was visible in the operating room.
Silva emphasized the significance of that finding.
“It is not only should be. It is mandatory by the state of Florida for an ambulatory surgical center to have a crash cart readily available,” he explained.
Gretel Jardon, who is listed as the CEO of Svelta in the company’s website, sent a statement to NBC6 regarding the fire rescue report: “Svelta understands the importance of fire rescue care. It is our understanding and firm belief that prior fire rescues arrival, detailed ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) protocol including the utilization of a crash cart measures were undertaken and they continued in an appropriate manner up until Fire Rescue jurisdiction over the patient care applied. Our team looks forward to when the facts are clarified by each of the witnesses who were present during the emergency.”
On Instagram, the clinic recently shared a video showing a crash cart.
Patients’ deaths linked to the clinic
Paramedics transported Aponte to a hospital, but her husband, Jefferson Carrasco, said emergency responders couldn’t save her life.
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“Why her?” he asked while fighting back tears, “a young woman, 35 years old. That was her birthday present.”
Svelta Plastic Surgery previously operated under the name Seduction Cosmetic Center. The owner announced the rebranding on social media.
NBC6 Investigates found Seduction Cosmetic Center had faced several medical malpractice lawsuits over the years, including a case involving the 2021 death of Erica Russell, a 33-year-old mother of five, that was later settled.
Just three weeks after Aponte’s death, another family says they experienced a similar nightmare.
‘It destroyed our lives’
On May 22, the family of 19-year-old Endrys Elian Martinez says their son suffered complications from anesthesia during what was supposed to be a routine nose job at the same clinic.
Fire records obtained by NBC6 confirm a patient was transported to a hospital that day.
According to his parents, Endrys fought for his life for several days — but the damage was too severe.
“That was the worst news,” said his mother, Iblin Martinez. “They told us he wouldn’t come back.”
His father, Endrys Jesus Martinez, says the experience opened their eyes.
“Now that we are involved in this, we’ve realized there are many cases,” Martinez said.
Endrys’ family says he was healthy, with no history of major health problems, making his sudden death all the more devastating.
“Everything, everything,” he sobbed, “It destroyed our lives. He was everything. He was happiness.”
In a previous statement, Svelta Plastic Surgery said it cannot comment on specific patients due to privacy laws. The clinic added it is “fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities” and asked the public “to refrain from making judgments until all facts have been properly reviewed and presented.”
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