Share this @internewscast.com

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. — A plastic surgeon from Greenwood Village has been sentenced after a jury convicted him in connection with a 19-year-old patient’s death.

Geoffrey Kim was sentenced to 15 days in jail, followed by two years probation, according to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. In addition, he must complete 120 hours of community service and pay a $50,000 fine.

He faced a maximum of three years in prison, which prosecutors asked for.

A jury found him guilty of attempted reckless manslaughter and obstruction of telephone service on June 14 in connection with the death of 19-year-old Emmalyn Nguyen, or Thornton, who was administered anesthesia and then slipped into a coma and went into cardiac arrest on Aug. 1, 2019. She came to Kim’s clinic for a breast augmentation procedure when she was 18 years old.

Emmalyn Nguyen

Guajardo, Adi

She was eventually rushed to Littleton Adventist Hospital, where doctors determined she had a severe anoxic brain injury due to the prolonged cardiac arrest. Nguyen spent three weeks at the hospital and was then transferred to Vibra Hospital for rehab. She died at 19 in a nursing home a year later, in October 2020. That month, her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Kim.

On Jan. 9, 2020, Kim’s medical license was suspended. In February 2022, he was arrested.

During Kim’s trial, a nurse anesthetist testified that he had told Kim that the patient should be brought to a hospital and they should call 911. Based on the investigation, Kim did not call for help for five hours after Nguyen went into cardiac arrest, according to the district attorney’s office.

The obstruction charge stemmed from the fact that Kim would not let several medical professionals in the office to call 911 and ask for transfer care for Nguyen, the DA said.

“We understand medical procedures don’t always go as planned, but this defendant showed a shocking and extreme lack of judgment and humanity by failing to call for an ambulance and denying his patient appropriate treatment in a hospital setting,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Gary Dawson said after the jury came back with a guilty verdict. “Patients put their trust in doctors and the outcome might have been different had the defendant sought appropriate medical care. This defendant made decisions based on what was best for his business and not for his patient.”


D7 follow up bar 2460x400FINAL.png

What do you want Denver7 to follow up on? Is there a story, topic or issue you want us to revisit? Let us know with the contact form below.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Bus Rider Nearly Decapitated by Hatchet-Wielding Stranger Has Died

A man died on Thursday, nearly two weeks after he was reportedly…

Murder victim texted suspect’s name before she died: Police

Background: News footage from the scene of the July 2024 triple murder…

Louisiana High School Teacher, Coach Charged With ‘Indecent Behavior’ With Juveniles

A Louisiana high school teacher was arrested late Thursday and charged with…

Ohio Megachurch Pastors’ Son Charged With Raping Children

The adult son of the founders and pastors of an Ohio megachurch…

Man who shot girlfriend over paternity of child learns fate

News footage of Vaughn Smith during his sentencing hearing on April 18…

Contract killer gets decades for 4 Philadelphia murders

Share copy link Steven M. Williams (Pennsylvania Attorney General). In Pennsylvania, a…

Crime Roundup with Nancy Grace: FSU Shooting | The Questions You Need To Be Asking

Today, Nancy Grace and Sheryl McCollum discuss the recent mass shooting at…

Arrest Made in University Shooting, According to Source

A suspect is in custody and multiple victims have been reported in…

Convicted Killer Imprisoned for Young Rapper’s Death Over $1 Million Theft Delusion

Days after learning about a fight at Chris Habiyakare’s house, armed intruders…

Man Who Fatally Attacked Wife With Hammer Denied Request for New Trial

Andrew John Cobby was found guilty in a 2021 trial of beating…

Non-Custodial Dad Abducts 3-Year-Old Girl at Visitation

Police in Washington, D.C., are looking for a 3-year-old girl believed to…

Broomfield man sentenced to life in prison for killing wife after posing as her ex-boyfriend and stalking her

BROOMFIELD, Colo. — A Broomfield man convicted of killing his wife after…