Two Valley Center people who ran a health retreat and administered intravenous treatment to terminally ill patients were charged with practicing medicine without a license and grand theft, according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s office.
“Offering intravenous medical treatments in an unlicensed facility not equipped to handle terminally ill patients creates a public health risk,” District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said. “Our Consumer Unit continues to prosecute individuals who are not licensed doctors and prey on those in our community who are sick, vulnerable and desperate to cure their illnesses.”
Robert Oldham Young, 61, and Rocio “Rosie” Placensia, 32, were arrested Thursday by the U.S. Marshals San Diego Fugitive Task Force. Young runs the “pH Miracle Center” on his avocado ranch in Valley Center and is a published author of several books including the “The pH Miracle,” a diet designed to “alkalinize the body.” The charges allege Young and his staff went beyond advocating dietary changes and used intravenous treatments on patients.
Young, who wears a doctor’s lab coat and is identified as a doctor on his website, was arraigned today on 18 felony counts. Placensia is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 30. If both are convicted, he faces 15 years and 8 months of prison time and she faces three years in county jail.
On his website, Young also advertises medical diagnostic services. Although not a medical facility, Young accepted patients, including terminally ill people, and housed them in temporary quarters on his avocado ranch.
The District Attorney’s Consumer Unit is prosecuting Young. He remains under investigation by the Medical Board of California, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, and the District Attorney’s Office, which believe there could be more victims.
Anyone with additional information regarding the defendants is asked to contact the District Attorney’s Office at 619-531-3507.
