Father arrested after 2-year-old daughter dies from swallowing kratom pills while in his care: police

Father arrested after 2-year-old daughter dies from swallowing kratom pills while in his care: police Kratom, which is sold over the counter, is used for its ‘stimulant, analgesic, and opioid-like effects,’ police say - Bookmark A Florida father has been arrested after his two-year-old daughter died from swallowing kratom pills while allegedly in his care, according to authorities. Police began investigating Jonnie Jordan’s death in May after the toddler was brought to a hospital in Melbourne, Florida, unresponsive, according to a Facebook post from the West Melbourne Police Department shared Wednesday. Detectives suspected her death may have been the result of an overdose after her father, Jerome Jordan, 35, urged hospital staff to give his daughter Narcan, police said. Narcan is a life-saving treatment that reverses the effects of opioid overdoses. Throughout the investigation, police said they discovered that Jonnie got hold of Kratom pills while she and her father were at the Palm Bay home of Charlene O’Connell, 32, who is the mother of two of Jerome’s other children, on the evening of May 17. Jonnie swallowed as much as two and a half Kratom pills that belonged to Jerome and Charlene, according to authorities. Kratom, which is sold over the counter, is used for its “stimulant, analgesic, and opioid-like effects,” West Melbourne Police said. Authorities note that some synthetic blends can contain illegal substances. Police say Jerome and Charlene knew Jonnie swallowed the pills and watched the little girl’s lips turn blue before she had a seizure and began breathing abnormally. “Neither of the two called 911 or sought medical attention for Jonnie,” the Facebook post read. Jerome instead took Jonnie to his sister’s apartment in West Melbourne and put her to bed. When he woke up, he and his sister brought the toddler’s “lifeless body” to the hospital shortly after 6 a.m. ET on May 18, authorities said. Jonnie was pronounced dead at the hospital. Jonnie’s mother, Laicee Henry, told Fox 35 Orlando that her daughter “was full of life and the smartest sweetest baby.” “She is severely missed by her brothers and sisters. It’s a sad day that my babies not only have to grieve a sister, but a father as well," Henry said. Jonnie’s autopsy revealed that she died from acute mitragynine intoxication, according to police. Mitragynine is a substance found in Kratom. Jerome and Charlene have been charged with Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child and Child Neglect with Great Bodily Harm. Jerome’s sister is not facing any charges. “We look forward to seeking the justice little Jonnie deserves, and are proud of the work our team did to make these arrests today,” West Melbourne Police said.