BRONX WOMAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY PRETENDING TO BE A DOCTOR WHOSE TREATMENTS LEFT A NEW JERSEY COUPLE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND FINANCIALLY DRAINED

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a woman who allegedly pretended to be a doctor has been arrested and charged with numerous offenses in connection with the scam, including assault and grand larceny.

Dolores Rodas, 43, a.k.a. Carmen Lara, of 3215 Bainbridge Avenue, the Bronx, has been charged with Grand larceny in the 2nd and 3rd degrees, Assault in the 2nd and 3rd degrees, Reckless Endangerment in the 1st degree, Unauthorized Practice, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th degree and Harassment in the 2nd degree. Rodas is facing a maximum sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment if convicted of the most serious charges of Assault in the 2nd degree and Grand Larceny in the 2nd degree.

Detective Investigators from the Bronx District Attorney’s Office arrested Rodas in front of her apartment building as a result of a complaint by a couple from Irvington, New Jersey, Gloria Cardena, 44, and Gerardo Naranjo, 40. The childless couple had undergone what they allegedly had been told were fertility treatments for which they were charged more than $50,000 between April 28, 2006 and March 21, 2007.

District Attorney Johnson said: “These charges are extremely serious and allege that the defendant was willing to put the lives of others at risk solely for personal financial gain. This investigation is continuing and anyone with information about this allegedly “phony” medical practice by the defendant should call our Detective Investigators at (718) 590-2050.”

According to court papers the victims made numerous visits to Rodas at 2625 Grand Concourse where Rodas would give them injections in their genitals with a syringe containing a liquid substance which caused them substantial pain, bruising and swelling. In addition to the injections, Cardenas also had a metal object inserted into her vagina which caused vaginal bleeding.

The investigation began earlier this month when the couple went to Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, New Jersey for emergency treatment of Cardenas’ vaginal bleeding. When the couple told the medical staff about the protracted fertility treatments, the medical staff notified authorities in New Jersey who in turn contacted the Bronx District Attorney’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Investigative Assistant District Attorney Richard Baker of the Investigations Division.