San Francisco- A woman who allegedly administered fake Botox injections into the buttocks of a client who died afterward could face up to eight years in prison if convicted of the charges filed against her Tuesday. Those charges are reported to include felony manslaughter and practicing medicine without a license.
Martha Mata Vasquez, 39, of the Salinas area, is accused of injecting cooking oil into the buttocks of Olivia Castillo, 46, causing her death on Nov. 24, 2005.
Monterey County Assistant District Attorney Berkley Brannon said three other victims have come forward but would not see their day in court because those alleged incidents happened more than three years ago, which is outside the statute of limitations.
Brannon said he did not know whether Castillo thought the injection was Botox, but said it was meant to “enhance her buttocks.”
The dose, nonetheless, caused a lethal embolism, or deadly blockage of blood vessels by a foreign object.
Vasquez, who works in a beauty salon, allegedly administered the injections at the homes of women she met at the salon.
Authorities believe more victims could have been given injections under false pretenses from Vasquez, who does not have a license to practice medicine.
Vasquez is currently out on bail, but is scheduled to appear in court for a bail review at 8:30 a.m. Friday. Her two first preliminary hearings are scheduled at 10 a.m. on April 12 and 14. All appearances are scheduled in Department 1 of the Salinas division of Monterey County Superior Court.