A 2-year-old Florida girl died after ingesting her father's Kratom pills, and instead of rushing her to the hospital when she began seizing, the man put her to bed where she was found dead the next morning, according to police.
Jerome Jordan, 35, and Charlene O'Connell, 32, have been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect with great bodily harm in connection with the death of Jonnie Jordan.
Background
The West Melbourne Police Department began investigating on May 18 after Jordan and his sister brought an unresponsive Jonnie to the hospital. Medical staff pronounced her dead upon arrival. According to investigators, hospital personnel suspected the girl died from an overdose when Jordan repeatedly insisted that medical staff administer Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses.
An autopsy later determined Jonnie died of acute mitragynine intoxication. Mitragynine is the primary psychoactive compound found in Kratom, an herbal supplement that can be purchased over-the-counter at gas stations and vitamin stores. The substance is marketed as an energy booster, mood lifter, and pain reliever.
Investigators say Jonnie was at O'Connell's home—the mother of Jordan's two other children—the night before her death. While inside the residence, the toddler ingested at least 2½ Kratom pills that belonged to both defendants.
"Both adults were aware she ingested the substance and witnessed her lips go blue before suffering a seizure and breathing abnormally," police wrote in their arrest report.
The Investigation
Despite witnessing the toddler's alarming symptoms, neither Jordan nor O'Connell called 911 or sought any form of medical attention, according to investigators. Instead, Jordan transported Jonnie to his sister's home and placed her in bed before going to sleep himself.
When Jordan woke the following morning, Jonnie was unresponsive. He then carried what authorities described as her "lifeless body" to the hospital.
Kratom exposure poses particular risks to children, according to the American Medical Association, especially when products resemble candy or gummies and may contain 7-OH, an illegal substance derived from Kratom that can be particularly dangerous.
Key Takeaways
- Jonnie Jordan, age 2, died after ingesting at least 2½ Kratom pills belonging to her father and his ex-girlfriend
- Neither adult called emergency services despite witnessing the child suffer a seizure with blue lips and abnormal breathing
- Police say Jerome Jordan placed the seizing toddler in bed rather than seeking medical help
- The girl was pronounced dead the following morning after being taken to the hospital by her father
- An autopsy confirmed she died from acute mitragynine intoxication, the active ingredient in Kratom
- Both defendants are charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect with great bodily harm
What's Next
Jordan and O'Connell remain held at the Brevard County Jail without bond following their arrests on Wednesday. Their next scheduled court appearance had not been listed in available records at the time of publication.
The case is being prosecuted by the State Attorney's Office for the 18th Judicial Circuit, which handles felony cases in Brevard County.