Dr. Ben Brown pleads not guilty to charge of negligent manslaughter in death of his wife

The Gulf Breeze plastic surgeon charged with negligent manslaughter in the death of his wife has waived arraignment. Dr. Ben Brown of Restore Plastic Surgery in the Tiger Point area was scheduled to be arraigned in Santa Rosa County on Thursday.

According to court records, Brown waived arraignment and entered a written plea of not guilty to a second-degree felony charge of negligent manslaughter. He is also demanding a jury trial.

Santa Rosa Sheriff’s investigators with the department’s Major Crimes unit arrested the 41-year-old plastic surgeon on June 17, nearly seven months after the death of his 33-year-old wife, Hillary Brown. Hillary died last November after her husband performed several surgeries on her in his Gulf Breeze office.

The Santa Rosa Clerk's Office also issued Brown a Notice to Appear for his next court date, on Sept. 3. If he doesn't appear the clerk said Brown would be arrested and his bond forfeited.

Brown was released on $50,000 bond after he was arrested.

In May, the Florida Department of Health issued an emergency order restricting Brown's ability to practice medicine except in a state licensed facility and under the supervision of a state licensed doctor. The order came after a state investigation into Brown following the death of his wife.

FDOH said patients told them that Brown performed unauthorized procedures on them like Brazilian Butt Lifts, as well as left them with permanent injuries and failed to maintain accurate medical records. The state said he also failed to follow basic standards of medical care for failing to immediately call 9-1-1 after his wife went into cardiac arrest, among other complaints.

Brown has denied allegations of wrongdoing and has retained counsel to defend him from both the criminal charge and the health department's request to the Florida Board of Medicine that the doctor be penalized for his conduct with his wife and patients.

Brown has so far declined to comment on the charges, but has instead had his crisis management/public relations firm Red Banyan submit written statements. Their latest said, "Ben continues to mourn the death of his loving wife Hillary, and this arrest, which is completely without merit, only deepens his pain and grief. All safety and medical protocols were strictly followed on the day of Hillary’s passing. Ben is a conscientious, dedicated, and incredibly talented surgeon, and he is looking forward to presenting the actual facts in a court of law and clearing his name of this horrible accusation.”