Texas Med Spa Medical Director, Owner Charged in 2023 IV Therapy Death
A former medical director and the owner of a now‑closed Texas medical spa have been charged with multiple felony counts, including murder and manslaughter, in connection with the 2023 death of a woman following an intravenous therapy treatment, according to court and jail records.
Michael Patrick Gallagher, a physician who served as medical director for Luxe Med Spa in Wortham, and Amber Johnson, the spa’s owner, each surrendered to authorities this week in Freestone County in connection with the death of Jenifer Cleveland, 47. Cleveland became unresponsive after receiving an IV infusion at the facility in July 2023 and later died at a nearby hospital.
Gallagher turned himself in on April 29 and faces multiple counts, including murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, along with multiple counts alleging the delivery of a dangerous drug, according to local news outlets. He was released after posting bond.
Johnson surrendered a day earlier and faces multiple counts, including murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, multiple counts of delivery of a dangerous drug, practicing medicine without a license, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, according to local coverage. She was also released on bond.
Background Context
Prosecutors alleged in previous coverage that Cleveland was administered an IV infusion containing vitamin compounds and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) electrolytes, a prescription‑only product that includes potassium chloride and carries known risks if improperly used or administered too rapidly.
Gallagher was previously accused of failing to adequately supervise and to ensure proper protocols and oversight were in place while serving as medical director for the spa, which was located more than 100 miles from his primary practice.
Johnson has previously been accused of administering prescription‑only IV substances without a medical license, conduct amounting to the unlicensed practice of medicine.
Legislative Action on Texas IV Therapy Since 2023
The charges follow years of regulatory scrutiny and legislative action stemming from Cleveland’s death. The Texas Medical Board previously suspended Gallagher’s medical license.
In response to the case, Texas lawmakers advanced House Bill 3749, later known as “Jenifer’s Law,” which imposed new statewide requirements on elective IV therapy provided outside traditional health care settings. The law, which took effect in 2025, requires valid prescriptive authority, defined physician supervision, and limits delegation of IV therapy administration to physician assistants, nurse practitioners and registered nurses under supervision.
Court officials have not yet released full criminal complaints or indictments to the public.
AmSpa has covered the Cleveland case since 2023, including its regulatory, legislative, and professional impact on the medical spa industry, and will continue reporting as more court records are filed and the cases move forward.