Here are seven things to know about Dr. Puliafito’s alleged phone call to police.
1. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an Oct. 5, 2017 incident involving the death of a child whose parents reportedly knew Dr. Puliafito, 67.
2. Investigators claim Dr. Puliafito called a 911 dispatcher shortly after sunrise Oct. 5, 2017 and reportedly told the dispatcher: “baby not breathing,” according to the report. He proceeded to say he was not at the location, but said his “girlfriend [was] there.” The ambulance arrived within four minutes; however, paramedics said the infant was beyond saving and did not take him to the hospital or perform CPR on him, according to the report.
3. Investigators reportedly do not consider Dr. Puliafito a suspect, but a possible “witness or an informant.” Police attempted to interview the former medical school dean about the incident, but he refused to participate through his lawyer, the report states.
4. Police said Dr. Puliafito was paying rent and other expenses at the apartment where the infant died. Dr. Puliafito was allegedly involved in a romantic relationship with the infant’s mother, Dora Yoder, 27, “for years” and was a frequent visitor at the apartment, according to police interviews with the landlord and others who visited the property.
5. Photos and videos obtained by The Los Angeles Times indicate Ms. Yoder and the infant’s father, Ariel Franko, 27, were acquainted with Dr. Puliafito. The Los Angeles Times reportedly conducted interviews with several individuals who claimed Dr. Puliafito regularly supplied Ms. Yoder with drugs or with money to buy drugs. The interviewees sought to remain anonymous, according to the report.
6. In a letter to the publication, Dr. Puliafito’s lawyer did not address specific allegations, but said The Los Angeles Times‘ “claims” were “provably false,” according to the report.
7. Dr. Puliafito was the subject of an investigation by The Los Angeles Times last summer, which discovered the former dean had allegedly misused drugs while helming the medical school. The Medical Board of California outlined allegations against him last year, stating Dr. Puliafito had furnished drugs to at least three people. The board sought to have the former dean’s medical license suspended or revoked; however, he voluntarily surrendered his medical license.
To read the full report, click here.
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