A Florida fraudster allegedly posed as a doctor and administered Botox injections out of her shady backyard “med spa” shed – leaving one patient who paid more than $300 with facial paralysis.
Rosa Mena, 50, was busted Wednesday after the numb-faced victim reported the botched procedure to police, who uncovered a stockpile of Botox, syringes, and other medical supplies from the unlicensed makeshift clinic behind the Coosa Drive home, according to the Port St. Lucie Police Department.
“We want to remind the public to research the facility and individual prior to performing procedures,” cops said in a Facebook post that included pictures of the illicit shack.
“Additionally, in order to perform injectable procedures like Botox it needs to be performed by a licensed professional. Your safety is our priority!”
Police said the scorned client visited the alleged scammer’s rogue treatment hut in May and paid $325 for the faulty injection that left her face paralyzed.
The alarmed woman later confronted the bogus medic, who refunded the payment and persuaded her to return for another procedure, during which Mena injected vitamins into the victim’s face in an attempt to “reverse” the damage.
When complications persisted, the suspicious victim demanded the imposter’s medical license, something she did not have. Instead, Mena claimed she was formerly a doctor in the Dominican Republic and presented an altered – and expired – phlebotomy certificate, cops said.
The multi-agency investigation later seized medical beds, medications, vials, needles, fat sculpting machines, PRP injections, micro-needling and laser hair removal equipment, laser lipo machines, massage and facial devices, and injectables for fillers and Botox.
Mena was hit with three counts of aggravated battery, three counts of practicing medicine without an active license, two counts of fraud, and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
She is being held at St. Lucie County Jail on $95,000 bond.
