A two-year-old girl in Florida, US, died after swallowing kratom pills while in her father's care, leading to the arrest of her father and his partner. Jonnie Jordan ingested the pills on the evening of May 17 at the Palm Bay, Florida home of Charlene O'Connell, according to West Melbourne Police.
Jerome Jordan (35) and Charlene O'Connell (32) were charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm. According to police, neither called 911 or sought medical attention for Jonnie after she ingested the pills.
After ingesting the pills, Jonnie's lips turned blue, she had a seizure, and began breathing abnormally. Instead of seeking medical care, Jerome Jordan took her to his sister's apartment in West Melbourne and put her to bed, police said.
The next day, on May 18, Jonnie was taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida, where she was pronounced dead. The autopsy revealed she died from acute mitragynine intoxication, a substance found in kratom.
West Melbourne Police said Jordan urged hospital staff to administer Narcan, suggesting an overdose. Kratom, which is sold over the counter, has stimulant, analgesic, and opioid-like effects, according to police. Kratom remains legal under US federal law, though the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced it had begun the process of temporarily placing high-potency 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products into Schedule I.
Jerome Jordan's sister is not facing any charges. Charlene O'Connell is the mother of two of Jordan's other children, police said. Both Jordan and O'Connell are being held without bond at Brevard County Jail, according to police.