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Father Charged After Toddler Dies from Kratom Overdose
30 Jul
Summary
- A two-year-old girl died from acute mitragynine intoxication.
- Her father allegedly gave her two and a half kratom pills.
- Parents charged with child neglect and manslaughter.
A two-year-old girl, Jonnie Jordan, died in May from acute mitragynine intoxication, a substance found in kratom. Authorities are investigating the incident, which began when Jonnie was brought unresponsive to a hospital in Melbourne, Florida. Her father, Jerome Jordan, allegedly urged medical staff to administer Narcan, a known opioid overdose reversal treatment, leading detectives to suspect an overdose.
Investigation revealed that Jonnie ingested multiple kratom pills belonging to her father and Charlene O'Connell, the mother of some of Jerome's other children, on the evening of May 17. Both Jerome and Charlene were reportedly aware that Jonnie had swallowed the pills and observed her condition worsen, including turning blue and having a seizure, before seeking medical help.
Instead of calling 911, Jerome took Jonnie to his sister's apartment. He and his sister later brought the toddler to the hospital on May 18, where she was pronounced deceased. Jerome Jordan and Charlene O'Connell have since been arrested and charged with Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child and Child Neglect with Great Bodily Harm.
