Dr. Hong-An Jan, a California physician, faces involuntary manslaughter charges for allegedly administering a narcotic (Demerol) instead of a local anesthetic (Xylocaine) during a circumcision on 3-day-old Charles Wang, leading to the infant’s death on February 28, 2024.
Incident Timeline
Charles, born without complications, underwent the procedure at Jan’s Garden Grove Medical Plaza practice on February 27. Within hours, he showed severe lethargy, feeding refusal, and unresponsiveness. Despite parents’ repeated calls, Jan reassured them symptoms were normal and falsified records to claim anesthetic use. The baby died overnight; toxicology confirmed excessive Demerol levels.
Charges and Legal Actions
- Criminal: Involuntary manslaughter; Jan pleaded not guilty. Next court date: May 1, 2026. Irvine PD called it “negligent and preventable”; medical license suspended.
- Civil: Wrongful death and malpractice suit by parents Yiqi Wang and Hongyu Lu, alleging intentional misconduct, deceit, and lack of authorization for the narcotic.
This case highlights risks of medication errors in neonatal care and the need for transparency—parents should verify consents and seek second opinions for procedures. No authorization covered the narcotic, per suit claims.
