A Florida father and the mother of his children have been arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect, following the death of their 2-year-old daughter, Jonnie Jordan, who allegedly ingested kratom pills. Jerome Jonathon Jordan, 35, and Charlene Rea O’Connell, 32, are accused of failing to seek emergency medical care after the toddler showed severe symptoms.
The incident occurred on May 17 at O’Connell’s home in Palm Bay. According to the West Melbourne Police Department, Jonnie Jordan allegedly consumed up to 2½ kratom pills belonging to her parents. Investigators stated that both Jordan and O’Connell witnessed the child turn blue, suffer a seizure, and exhibit abnormal breathing before they opted not to call 911 or transport her to a hospital. Instead, Jordan reportedly took the child back to his sister's apartment in West Melbourne and put her to bed.
Hours later, upon discovering Jonnie unresponsive, Jordan transported her to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Hospital staff's suspicion of an overdose was heightened when Jordan urged them to administer Narcan. The Brevard County Medical Examiner’s Office later determined the toddler’s cause of death to be acute mitragynine intoxication.
Kratom, a herbal substance derived from a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, is commonly sold in various forms, including powders, capsules, gummies, and drinks. While used by some for stimulant or pain-relieving effects, federal health officials have issued repeated warnings regarding its safety. The Drug Enforcement Administration has initiated a process to classify high-potency 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products and related synthetic compounds as Schedule I substances due to their potential for abuse and opioid-like effects, though this does not apply to natural kratom leaf products.
Following a months-long investigation, Jordan and O’Connell were arrested on Thursday and are being held without bond at the Brevard County Jail. Jordan’s sister, at whose apartment the child was placed before her death, is not facing any charges.