A North Carolina family is mourning the loss of 2-year-old Er’mias Mitchell, who died after a routine dental procedure
at Valleygate Dental Surgery Center in Greensboro. According to his parents, Er’mias was a healthy, joyful child who
brought his favorite T-Rex toy to the appointment. Shortly after anesthesia was administered, they were told he had suffered a collapsed lung.
The Mitchells say they weren’t allowed to ride in the ambulance and weren’t immediately told he had been taken to the hospital.
His father, David Mitchell—a U.S. military member—described the devastation of arriving at the hospital to find Er’mias unresponsive.
Er’mias’s grandmother, Kyra Smith, is calling for greater awareness and accountability to prevent similar tragedies.
The family wants to ensure Er’mias’s memory lives on and that no other family suffers the same pain.
Valleygate Dental Surgery Center expressed condolences and reaffirmed its commitment to safety, acknowledging rare surgical complications.
State officials, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Dental Examiners Board, have launched investigations.
A fundraiser has also been created to help cover funeral and legal costs. As the Mitchell family grieves,
they continue to seek answers and justice for their beloved son.