Toddler’s tragic death sparks manslaughter charges after alleged poisoning

A Florida father and the mother of his children are behind bars after police said they failed to seek emergency care when a 2-year-old girl turned blue, suffered a seizure and began breathing abnormally after allegedly ingesting kratom pills.

Jerome Jonathon Jordan, 35, and Charlene Rea O’Connell, 32, were both charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm in the death of 2-year-old Jonnie Jordan, according to the West Melbourne Police Department.

The charges come more than two months after Jonnie was rushed to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne May 18. 

Hospital staff pronounced the toddler dead shortly after she arrived.

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Investigators said the tragedy unfolded the night before at O’Connell’s Palm Bay home, where Jonnie allegedly got into kratom pills belonging to Jordan and O’Connell.

Police said they believe the toddler consumed as many as 2½ pills before both adults realized what had happened.

According to investigators, Jordan and O’Connell watched as Jonnie’s lips turned blue, she suffered a seizure and began breathing abnormally. But instead of calling 911 or taking the little girl to a hospital, police allege they failed to seek medical care.

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Authorities said Jordan then drove Jonnie back to his sister’s apartment in West Melbourne and put her to bed.

Hours later, after waking up and finding the toddler unresponsive, Jordan rushed her to the hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.

Investigators said Jordan initially urged hospital staff to administer Narcan, leading detectives to suspect an overdose early in the investigation.

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The Brevard County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Jonnie died of acute mitragynine intoxication, according to police.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of the National Institutes of Health, kratom is a herbal substance made from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia and is commonly sold in powders, capsules, gummies and drinks.

Some people use it for its stimulant or pain-relieving effects, though federal health officials have repeatedly warned about its safety.

While kratom remains legal under federal law, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced earlier this month it had begun the process of temporarily placing high-potency 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products and certain related synthetic compounds into Schedule I, citing their high potential for abuse and opioid-like effects. The action does not apply to natural kratom leaf products.

Following the medical examiner’s findings and a months-long investigation, police arrested Jordan and O’Connell Thursday. Both are being held without bond at the Brevard County Jail.

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Police said Jordan’s sister, whose apartment Jonnie was taken to after leaving O’Connell’s home, is not facing any charges.