Topline: Authorities say a California OBGYN administered a powerful narcotic instead of a local anesthetic during a circumcision, leading to a newborn’s death and criminal charges.
Published: April 1, 2026 12:01 pm ET
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GARDEN GROVE, CA — A California obstetrician-gynecologist is facing a criminal charge and a civil lawsuit after authorities say a newborn boy died from a narcotic overdose following a circumcision procedure, according to court records and multiple reports.
Dr. Hong-An Jan has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of 3-day-old Charles Wang, according to Orange County court records cited by Law&Crime. The boy’s parents, Yiqi Wang and Hongyu Lu, have also filed a wrongful death and medical malpractice lawsuit against the physician.
According to the lawsuit, obtained by Law&Crime, Jan performed the circumcision on Feb. 27, 2024, at his private practice at Garden Grove Medical Plaza after recommending the procedure shortly after the child’s birth, as reported by The U.S. Sun.
Investigators allege that Jan injected the infant with Demerol, a Schedule II narcotic, instead of Xylocaine, a local anesthetic typically used during circumcisions, according to both Law&Crime and The U.S. Sun. A toxicology report later found “excessive levels” of Demerol in the baby’s system and no trace of Xylocaine, the outlets reported.
A coroner ultimately ruled the baby’s death as bronchopneumonia due to acute Demerol intoxication, according to The U.S. Sun.
“Within hours of the procedure, Charles exhibited profound lethargy, an inability to accept feeding, and abnormal unresponsiveness,” the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit states that the baby, who had no immediate complications after birth, quickly declined after the procedure. About an hour later, he became “extremely lethargic and nonresponsive, difficult to arouse, refusing any feeding, and was not acting normally as a newborn,” according to the complaint cited by Law&Crime.
The parents repeatedly sought guidance from Jan as their son’s condition worsened but were “affirmatively reassured” that the symptoms were “normal,” the suit alleges.
“Jan only ‘looked’ at [the baby] and reassured [his parents] that these symptoms were ‘normal’ post-circumcision reactions and advised them to return home,” the suit says.
“He did not take any blood samples or order any laboratory studies, even though he observed the symptoms … symptomatic of opiate substances.”
According to the complaint, Jan also told the parents to “closely monitor” the baby but did not raise alarm as his condition deteriorated, Law&Crime reported.
The lawsuit further alleges that Jan “intentionally administered” the narcotic without parental authorization and falsely documented that he had used a local anesthetic.
“The administration of that narcotic was not disclosed to Plaintiffs, and its risks were concealed until the unveiling of an indictment, which, for the first time, disclosed the false records and wrong use of a narcotic sedative,” wrote plaintiff lawyer Leodis C. Matthews.
“The claims in this case are primarily based upon the intentional misconduct, unauthorized drug administration, deceit, concealment of material facts, and conscious disregard for the life and safety of a newborn child,” the suit said.
After returning home, the baby’s condition did not improve. According to the lawsuit, the child’s mother went to sleep around 11 p.m. and awoke several hours later to find him unresponsive.
Around 3 a.m., the infant was discovered cold and not breathing, according to The U.S. Sun. The parents rushed him to a hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead roughly an hour later, Law&Crime reported.
The death was initially deemed natural before investigators determined it was caused by a drug overdose, according to the lawsuit.
Police later opened an investigation, and a grand jury indicted Jan, Law&Crime reported. During a court hearing, a detective with the Irvine Police Department described the doctor’s actions as “negligent and preventable,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Jan has pleaded not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charge. According to The Los Angeles Times, he is scheduled to appear in court on May 1.
The physician has denied that the medications were mixed up or that the narcotic was administered accidentally, The U.S. Sun reported.
His medical license has been suspended pending the outcome of the criminal case, according to multiple reports.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of local anesthetic for circumcision procedures, which typically take about 15 minutes, according to The U.S. Sun.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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California Doctor Charged After Newborn Dies During Circumcision
Authorities say a California OBGYN administered a powerful narcotic instead of a local anesthetic during a circumcision, leading to a newborn’s death and criminal charges.
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 1, 2026 12:01 pm ET
GARDEN GROVE, CA — A California obstetrician-gynecologist is facing a criminal charge and a civil lawsuit after authorities say a newborn boy died from a narcotic overdose following a circumcision procedure, according to court records and multiple reports.
Dr. Hong-An Jan has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of 3-day-old Charles Wang, according to Orange County court records cited by Law&Crime. The boy’s parents, Yiqi Wang and Hongyu Lu, have also filed a wrongful death and medical malpractice lawsuit against the physician.
According to the lawsuit, obtained by Law&Crime, Jan performed the circumcision on Feb. 27, 2024, at his private practice at Garden Grove Medical Plaza after recommending the procedure shortly after the child’s birth, as reported by The U.S. Sun.
Investigators allege that Jan injected the infant with Demerol, a Schedule II narcotic, instead of Xylocaine, a local anesthetic typically used during circumcisions, according to both Law&Crime and The U.S. Sun. A toxicology report later found “excessive levels” of Demerol in the baby’s system and no trace of Xylocaine, the outlets reported.
A coroner ultimately ruled the baby’s death as bronchopneumonia due to acute Demerol intoxication, according to The U.S. Sun.
“Within hours of the procedure, Charles exhibited profound lethargy, an inability to accept feeding, and abnormal unresponsiveness,” the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit states that the baby, who had no immediate complications after birth, quickly declined after the procedure. About an hour later, he became “extremely lethargic and nonresponsive, difficult to arouse, refusing any feeding, and was not acting normally as a newborn,” according to the complaint cited by Law&Crime.
The parents repeatedly sought guidance from Jan as their son’s condition worsened but were “affirmatively reassured” that the symptoms were “normal,” the suit alleges.
“Jan only ‘looked’ at [the baby] and reassured [his parents] that these symptoms were ‘normal’ post-circumcision reactions and advised them to return home,” the suit says.
“He did not take any blood samples or order any laboratory studies, even though he observed the symptoms … symptomatic of opiate substances.”
According to the complaint, Jan also told the parents to “closely monitor” the baby but did not raise alarm as his condition deteriorated, Law&Crime reported.
The lawsuit further alleges that Jan “intentionally administered” the narcotic without parental authorization and falsely documented that he had used a local anesthetic.
“The administration of that narcotic was not disclosed to Plaintiffs, and its risks were concealed until the unveiling of an indictment, which, for the first time, disclosed the false records and wrong use of a narcotic sedative,” wrote plaintiff lawyer Leodis C. Matthews.
“The claims in this case are primarily based upon the intentional misconduct, unauthorized drug administration, deceit, concealment of material facts, and conscious disregard for the life and safety of a newborn child,” the suit said.
After returning home, the baby’s condition did not improve. According to the lawsuit, the child’s mother went to sleep around 11 p.m. and awoke several hours later to find him unresponsive.
Around 3 a.m., the infant was discovered cold and not breathing, according to The U.S. Sun. The parents rushed him to a hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead roughly an hour later, Law&Crime reported.
The death was initially deemed natural before investigators determined it was caused by a drug overdose, according to the lawsuit.
Police later opened an investigation, and a grand jury indicted Jan, Law&Crime reported. During a court hearing, a detective with the Irvine Police Department described the doctor’s actions as “negligent and preventable,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Jan has pleaded not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charge. According to The Los Angeles Times, he is scheduled to appear in court on May 1.
The physician has denied that the medications were mixed up or that the narcotic was administered accidentally, The U.S. Sun reported.
His medical license has been suspended pending the outcome of the criminal case, according to multiple reports.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of local anesthetic for circumcision procedures, which typically take about 15 minutes, according to The U.S. Sun.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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California Doctor Charged After Newborn Dies During Circumcision
Authorities say a California OBGYN administered a powerful narcotic instead of a local anesthetic during a circumcision, leading to a newborn’s death and criminal charges.
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 1, 2026 12:01 pm ET
GARDEN GROVE, CA — A California obstetrician-gynecologist is facing a criminal charge and a civil lawsuit after authorities say a newborn boy died from a narcotic overdose following a circumcision procedure, according to court records and multiple reports.
Dr. Hong-An Jan has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of 3-day-old Charles Wang, according to Orange County court records cited by Law&Crime. The boy’s parents, Yiqi Wang and Hongyu Lu, have also filed a wrongful death and medical malpractice lawsuit against the physician.
According to the lawsuit, obtained by Law&Crime, Jan performed the circumcision on Feb. 27, 2024, at his private practice at Garden Grove Medical Plaza after recommending the procedure shortly after the child’s birth, as reported by The U.S. Sun.
Investigators allege that Jan injected the infant with Demerol, a Schedule II narcotic, instead of Xylocaine, a local anesthetic typically used during circumcisions, according to both Law&Crime and The U.S. Sun. A toxicology report later found “excessive levels” of Demerol in the baby’s system and no trace of Xylocaine, the outlets reported.
A coroner ultimately ruled the baby’s death as bronchopneumonia due to acute Demerol intoxication, according to The U.S. Sun.
“Within hours of the procedure, Charles exhibited profound lethargy, an inability to accept feeding, and abnormal unresponsiveness,” the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit states that the baby, who had no immediate complications after birth, quickly declined after the procedure. About an hour later, he became “extremely lethargic and nonresponsive, difficult to arouse, refusing any feeding, and was not acting normally as a newborn,” according to the complaint cited by Law&Crime.
The parents repeatedly sought guidance from Jan as their son’s condition worsened but were “affirmatively reassured” that the symptoms were “normal,” the suit alleges.
“Jan only ‘looked’ at [the baby] and reassured [his parents] that these symptoms were ‘normal’ post-circumcision reactions and advised them to return home,” the suit says.
“He did not take any blood samples or order any laboratory studies, even though he observed the symptoms … symptomatic of opiate substances.”
According to the complaint, Jan also told the parents to “closely monitor” the baby but did not raise alarm as his condition deteriorated, Law&Crime reported.
The lawsuit further alleges that Jan “intentionally administered” the narcotic without parental authorization and falsely documented that he had used a local anesthetic.
“The administration of that narcotic was not disclosed to Plaintiffs, and its risks were concealed until the unveiling of an indictment, which, for the first time, disclosed the false records and wrong use of a narcotic sedative,” wrote plaintiff lawyer Leodis C. Matthews.
“The claims in this case are primarily based upon the intentional misconduct, unauthorized drug administration, deceit, concealment of material facts, and conscious disregard for the life and safety of a newborn child,” the suit said.
After returning home, the baby’s condition did not improve. According to the lawsuit, the child’s mother went to sleep around 11 p.m. and awoke several hours later to find him unresponsive.
Around 3 a.m., the infant was discovered cold and not breathing, according to The U.S. Sun. The parents rushed him to a hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead roughly an hour later, Law&Crime reported.
The death was initially deemed natural before investigators determined it was caused by a drug overdose, according to the lawsuit.
Police later opened an investigation, and a grand jury indicted Jan, Law&Crime reported. During a court hearing, a detective with the Irvine Police Department described the doctor’s actions as “negligent and preventable,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Jan has pleaded not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charge. According to The Los Angeles Times, he is scheduled to appear in court on May 1.
The physician has denied that the medications were mixed up or that the narcotic was administered accidentally, The U.S. Sun reported.
His medical license has been suspended pending the outcome of the criminal case, according to multiple reports.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of local anesthetic for circumcision procedures, which typically take about 15 minutes, according to The U.S. Sun.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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