PORT ST. LUCIE − Port St. Lucie police arrested what they said was an “illegal backyard shed med spa suspect” after a woman reported experiencing “facial paralysis” at the alleged “backyard” facility, the agency stated.
Rosa Mena, 50, was booked July 9 at the St. Lucie County Jail on three counts each of aggravated battery causing bodily harm or disability, and health-safety-practice medicine without an active license; and single counts each of fraud-swindle obtain property $300 or more; fraud-swindle obtain property under $20,000; and use of two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, police stated.
A woman told police about what she believed constituted an “illegal med spa” along with an unlicensed medical worker in May.
The woman police identified as the victim in the case reported that on May 17 she went to Mena’s home to get Botox injections, paying $325 for 62 units.
The woman alleged she received “facial paralysis” following an injection at Mena’s “makeshift backyard med spa shed.”
“After Mena was confronted about the victim’s injuries, she refunded the $325 after the paralysis persisted; however, Mena had the victim return to inject her again, but this time with vitamins to ‘reverse’ the effects,” police stated.
The woman asked to see Mena’s medical license and related certificates, but police said Mena provided an altered phlebotomy certificate.
Phlebotomy involves puncturing a vein, typically in the arm, to draw blood, often for testing or donation.
“Mena attempted to put the victim’s mind at ease by telling her she was a doctor from the Dominican Republic, dismissing her concerns,” police stated.
Sgt. Dominick Mesiti, police spokesperson, said July 10 the woman consulted with a licensed doctor, who was unable to tell if the paralysis is permanent.
Mesiti said Mena has had past patients and clients, noting investigators found an Instagram page advertising the business with a picture of a patient on a table and Mena dressed in medical garb as if preparing to perform procedures.
Police executed a search warrant in the 5000 block of Northwest Coosa Drive, and reported finding an “overwhelming amount of evidence to support the victim’s allegations.”
The address is east of Florida’s Turnpike near West Tornio Parkway and West Blanton Boulevard.
State records show a business named Rosa’s Miracle Hands & Spa LLC at the address where police executed the search warrant. Mena is the listed registered agent.
Police turned up items including medications, vials, needles, fat sculpting machines, micro-needling equipment, laser hair removal equipment, laser lipo machines, and injectable devices for fillers and Botox, the agency stated.
Mena was held July 10 in the St. Lucie County Jail, but her bond amount was not immediately available.
(This story was updated with gallery and video.)
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: ‘Facial paralysis’ and ‘illegal backyard shed med spa’ found in Port St. Lucie, police say
Reporting by Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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