A shocking incident has come to light from Orlando, Florida, where a woman pretending to be a licensed medical professional performed a dangerous cosmetic procedure. The incident left one patient with severe injuries and has now led to serious criminal charges.
Fake Medical Worker Burns Patient’s Chin
Gabriela Pereira, a 29-year-old woman, was arrested for performing a cosmetic treatment without a license at a medical spa called Tonya Beauty in Orlando. In April 2024, she treated a woman with an Endolaser device to reduce a double chin. But instead of improving the patient’s appearance, the procedure went horribly wrong.
The patient ended up with burns that turned into painful blisters. The skin around her chin started to die, which is a condition called necrosis. This happened because the laser was left on for too long, damaging the skin deeply.
Repeated Visits Made Things Worse
Even though the treatment caused serious harm, the patient returned to Gabriela Pereira seven more times. Pereira said she would fix the damage for free, and in return, she used the woman as a “model” to show off her work.
But instead of getting better, the situation got worse. The woman developed a large blister and later started showing serious signs of infection. She had a fever and even noticed pus coming out of her right eye. Despite these dangerous symptoms, Pereira told her it was “normal.”
No Health Insurance, No Proper Help
The patient didn’t have health insurance, so instead of going to a proper doctor, she kept returning to Gabriela Pereira for help. Unfortunately, the treatment didn’t help. Her condition worsened, and finally, she went to a real hospital—Orlando Health—where doctors told her she had tissue necrosis on her chin.
Spa Already Under Investigation
This wasn’t the first time Tonya Beauty was under suspicion. Back in February 2023, the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI) received a tip that someone at the spa was performing Botox injections without being a licensed doctor, nurse, or dentist.
An investigation later found that the spa owner, 43-year-old Tonya Silva Pereira, had an expired license and had been told earlier to stop practicing medicine.
In June 2024, another tip came in, this time from a registered nurse who had heard about Gabriela Pereira’s unsafe treatment. This led to a deeper investigation and eventually Gabriela’s arrest.
Serious Charges Filed
Gabriela Pereira is now facing 20 felony charges, including multiple counts of practicing medicine without a license and unlicensed healthcare practice. She was arrested but later released after paying a bond of $29,750, according to local news reports.
The Aftermath
The woman who suffered through this unsafe procedure still carries scars, both physical and emotional. She eventually found help at a proper medical spa and began to heal. But her story highlights the real dangers of getting medical treatments from unqualified people.
This case shows how important it is to check the qualifications of anyone performing medical or cosmetic treatments. Even if someone seems skilled or offers free services, getting help from an unlicensed person can be risky and even life-threatening. Always go to certified clinics and trained professionals for your safety and health.
