A man known as “alias Yosef” allegedly practiced pediatrics at multiple health facilities in Barrancabermeja, Colombia, without any medical credentials. He reportedly conducted consultations, clinical evaluations, and prescribed treatments to young children. A three-year-old child died after receiving his care. Colombian authorities arrested him in Medellín on June 16, 2026, under a judicial warrant for homicide.
A man posing as a pediatric specialist
Alias “Yosef” presented himself at multiple healthcare facilities in Barrancabermeja as a qualified pediatrician. He allegedly conducted medical consultations, clinical assessments, and issued prescriptions to minor patients at these centers.
His medical credentials were never checked. He had none.
The death of a three-year-old
A three-year-old child died after being treated by alias “Yosef.” The death triggered a judicial investigation. Over several months, investigators gathered physical evidence and witness testimonies. These elements allowed them to identify the suspect and obtain an arrest warrant.
Capture in Medellín
Alias “Yosef” was located in the Caribe neighborhood of Medellín. Judicial police placed him in custody and handed him over to the competent authorities. He now faces a homicide charge.
This is not Colombia’s first case of this kind. In May 2026, a barber was arrested in Bogota after performing clandestine laser liposuction procedures from inside a hair salon: Fake Surgeon Arrested in Colombia: Barber Performed Laser Liposuction.
“He allegedly performed functions proper to a medical professional — conducting consultations, clinical evaluations, and medical prescriptions for children who came to receive care at the city’s health centers,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ángel Giovanni Vivas Casas, commander of the Policía Magdalena Medio, according to Vanguardia on June 16, 2026.
