Trial Begins Seven Years After Death of Bakersfield Mother Demi Dominguez

The lawsuit, filed by Tracy Dominguez, alleges that Dr. Arthur Park failed to properly assess or diagnose her daughter during a 13-hour stay at Mercy Southwest Hospital. Two days after being discharged, Demi suffered a seizure in her sleep. While medical staff performed a post-mortem cesarean section to deliver her son, Malakhi, the infant died 13 hours later. Lead attorney Courtney Rowley argues that the tragedy was preventable, stating that the young mother sought care only to be turned away while facing clear warning signs.

This legal battle highlights a broader crisis in the southern Central Valley, which currently records the highest maternal mortality rate in California at 28.2 deaths per 100,000 live births. Dr. Park’s history with the Medical Board of California includes multiple disciplinary actions, probation, and suspensions linked to the deaths of other patients, including 23-year-old Celeste Ortiz. Following years of advocacy by Tracy Dominguez and Consumer Watchdog, Park surrendered his medical license. The legal proceedings now seek to hold the physician accountable for the systemic failures that Tracy Dominguez describes as a fight for the rights of all mothers in the region.