Defendant Carried Out Botched Procedure In Her Home
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx woman has been
indicted for Manslaughter and other charges for allegedly providing illegal silicone injections
that caused the death of a 48-year-old woman.
District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly illegally injected the victim with a
silicone substance for cosmetic purposes. Tragically, the injections killed the victim, who had
traveled from Philadelphia to the Bronx for the procedure.”
District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Whalesca Castillo, 44, of 2219 Seward
Avenue, was arraigned today on second-degree Manslaughter, Criminally Negligent Homicide
and Unauthorized Practice before Bronx Supreme Court Justice David Lewis. Bail was set
at $150,000 bond and the defendant is due back in court on April 18, 2019. If convicted of
the top charge, she could face up to 15 years in prison.
According to the investigation, on or about June 17, 2018, in the defendant’s home, Castillo
injected silicone substance into the body of Lesbia Ayala, as part of an illegal cosmetic procedure
to enhance the buttocks of the victim. The defendant did not have a license to practice medicine
or cosmetic surgery. The victim died of systemic silicone embolism syndrome shortly after
receiving the injections.
District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Carmen Torres of the 43rd
Precinct Detective Squad and Anthony Velez of the Bronx Homicide Squad for their
assistance.
An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.
