A Florida father and the mother of his children face charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect after their 2-year-old daughter allegedly ingested kratom pills and died. Jerome Jonathon Jordan, 35, and Charlene Rea O'Connell, 32, were arrested Thursday, according to the West Melbourne Police Department.
Police allege that the tragedy began the night before the toddler's death at O'Connell's Palm Bay home. The 2-year-old girl, identified as Jonnie Jordan, reportedly ingested approximately two-and-a-half kratom pills belonging to Jordan and O'Connell. Investigators stated that Jordan and O'Connell witnessed the toddler's lips turn blue, suffer a seizure, and exhibit abnormal breathing. However, instead of calling emergency services or taking the child to a hospital, the adults allegedly failed to seek immediate medical care.
According to authorities, Jordan then transported Jonnie to his sister's apartment in West Melbourne and put her to bed. Hours later, upon discovering the child unresponsive, Jordan took her to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Hospital staff's suspicion of an overdose was prompted when Jordan urged them to administer Narcan, according to investigators.
The Brevard County Medical Examiner's Office determined that Jonnie died from acute mitragynine intoxication, the primary psychoactive compound in kratom. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health defines kratom as a herbal substance from a tree native to Southeast Asia, commonly sold in various forms and used for stimulant or pain-relieving effects, though federal health officials have issued repeated safety warnings.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has begun the process of placing high-potency 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products and related synthetic compounds into Schedule I due to their high potential for abuse and opioid-like effects. This action does not pertain to natural kratom leaf products.
Jordan and O'Connell are being held without bond at the Brevard County Jail. Jonnie Jordan's maternal aunt, whose apartment the toddler was taken to after leaving O'Connell's home, is not facing any charges, police confirmed.