A California doctor, Dr. Hong-An Jan, is reportedly facing a felony charge and a lawsuit after a days-old baby, Charles Wang, allegedly died following a circumcision procedure.
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Officials Charge California Doctor After Newborn Dies Post-Procedure
Prosecutors have reportedly charged Dr. Hong-An Jan with felony involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2024 death of newborn Charles Wang. The infant was reportedly between two to three days old, per conflicting reports from Law & Crime and other outlets. PEOPLE reports that Jan allegedly injected a synthetic opioid into Charles on Feb. 27, 2024, at his private clinic in Garden Grove. According to WGXA, the baby’s toxicology report showed high levels of Demerol, a Schedule II narcotic painkiller, instead of the required anesthetic Xylocaine.
Law & Crime says Charles’ parents noticed the newborn seemed lethargic and unresponsive after the circumcision. However, Dr. Jan reportedly advised them that it was “normal” and “not a cause for concern.” However, the next day, doctors pronounced Charles dead after his parents rushed him to the hospital. Doctors determined that acute Demerol intoxication led to bronchopneumonia, which purportedly caused Charles’ death.
Newborn Baby’s Parents React To Tragic Loss
Charles’ parents, Yiqi Wang and Hongyu Lu, have reportedly filed a civil lawsuit against Dr. Hong-An Jan. They are accusing him of wrongful death, medical malpractice, and fraud. Jan previously oversaw Hongyu Lu’s care during childbirth, and he later allegedly advised the parents to have Charles circumcised the day after he was born.
“Jan only looked at Charles and reassured his parents that these symptoms were normal post-circumcision reactions and advised them to return home,” the suit claimed, per the Los Angeles Times. “He did not take any blood samples or order any laboratory studies, even though he observed the symptoms … symptomatic of opiate substances.”
What’s Next For Dr. Hong-An Jan?
Dr. Hong-An Jan reportedly pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter on Feb. 19 and is set to appear in court on May 1 for a pre-trial hearing. Also, a court order reportedly suspended Jan’s medical license on Feb. 19, 2026.
