By Gina Martinez
A Flushing doctor has been indicted on charges of recklessly causing the death of a 30-year-old woman on whom he performed an abortion, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
Dr. Robert Rho, 52, faces a second-degree murder charge and up to 15 years in jail if convicted, the DA said.
The gynecologist and obstetrician maintains a medical practice at Liberty Health Care of Queens on 37-01 Main St.. According to the charges, the 30-year-old victim arrived at the health care center with her sister on July 9 seeking an abortion. It is alleged that during the surgical procedure, which took place shortly after 1 p.m., Rho caused a laceration of the victim’s cervix , Brown said.
He is accused of perforating the uterine wall, cutting the uterine artery and subsequently failing to provide her with appropriate and timely medical attention, the DA said.
The criminal complaint, filed by the DA’s office, said that while in the recovery room, the victim bled profusely and was required to undergo an additional procedure at the health facility. The victim was then allowed to go home despite appearing disoriented and having collapsed, Brown said. On the drive to her sister’s Bronx home the victim fell off the back seat and became unresponsive, the DA’s office said.
She was taken to a Bronx hospital where she was treated for vaginal bleeding and given six units of blood, She died later that night at the hospital, Brown said.
A medical rating website said Rho had 24 years of professional experience.
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