Doctor on probation approved fentanyl that killed pregnant woman, CA family says

A pregnant woman died during labor after a doctor on probation approved fentanyl for her, her family said.

Dr. Jason Paul Helliwell — who was on probation for gross negligence and sexual misconduct — approved the fentanyl that was administered to Sabrina De La Rosa, 28, before she died, according to Fox 13.

“We wanted her to come home, she was supposed to come home,” Mariah Borgna, De La Rosa’s family member, told Fox 13.

De La Rosa was experiencing pain from contractions and went to Memorial Hospital in Bakersfield on Jan. 9, according to Fox 13. The hospital gave her pain medication and De La Rosa went into a seizure. When her family asked what was given to her, a nurse said that she was given “100 milliliters of fentanyl.”

Doctors performed a C-section and delivered a healthy baby, an 8-pound boy named Jaxx, but were unable to revive De La Rosa, according to KGET.

“She was covered in blood from head to toe,” Borgna told KGET. “A child is born into this world pure, and then to subject him to a hard narcotic like that, you don’t know what side effects that can cause on him.”

Memorial Hospital also released a statement to KGET.

“Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Sabrina De La Rosa for their loss,” it read. “The death of a patient is always difficult for everyone involved. An open and transparent dialogue between hospital leadership and Sabrina’s family is ongoing to assist them during this difficult time. Safety and patient care are our highest priorities and the case is currently under review. Consistent with patient privacy laws and hospital policy, we do not discuss the specifics of any patient’s care.”

Helliwell was put on probation in 2018 and was charged in September 2019 with more than 30 felony counts of “making false claims for health benefits,” according to Turn23. He was released on bail.

This story was originally published January 15, 2020 at 12:39 PM with the headline "Doctor on probation approved fentanyl that killed pregnant woman, CA family says."