Doctor warns of kratom’s addictive dangers, likens it to opioids
Interventional cardiologist Dr. Craig Basman is sounding the alarm over kratom, a Southeast Asian plant he says carries serious addiction risks. Basman notes that 7-OH, a compound found in concentrated kratom products, can bind to opioid receptors in the body in ways that resemble powerful drugs such as fentanyl and morphine. The result, he warns, can be severe dependence, dangerous withdrawal symptoms and a heightened risk of overdose.
A Florida father and the mother of his children have been jailed after police said they did not seek emergency medical help when a 2-year-old girl turned blue, had a seizure and began breathing abnormally following the alleged ingestion of kratom pills.
Jerome Jonathon Jordan, 35, and Charlene Rea O’Connell, 32, each face charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm in connection with the death of 2-year-old Jonnie Jordan, the West Melbourne Police Department said.
The arrests come more than two months after Jonnie was taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne on May 18.
Medical staff at the hospital pronounced the toddler dead soon after her arrival.
Jerome Jordan and Charlene O’Connell were booked into the Brevard County Jail on charges including aggravated manslaughter of a child. (West Melbourne Police Department)
According to investigators, the fatal incident began the previous night at O’Connell’s home in Palm Bay, where Jonnie allegedly accessed kratom pills that belonged to Jordan and O’Connell.
Police said they believe the child swallowed up to two-and-a-half pills before the two adults discovered what had happened.
According to investigators, Jordan and O’Connell watched as Jonnie’s lips turned blue, she suffered a seizure and began breathing abnormally. But instead of calling 911 or taking the little girl to a hospital, police allege they failed to seek medical care.
The West Melbourne Police Department announced the arrests following its investigation into the toddler’s death. (West Melbourne Police Department)
Authorities said Jordan then drove Jonnie back to his sister’s apartment in West Melbourne and put her to bed.
Hours later, after waking up and finding the toddler unresponsive, Jordan rushed her to the hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.
Investigators said Jordan initially urged hospital staff to administer Narcan, leading detectives to suspect an overdose early in the investigation.
An aerial view of Florida’s Space Coast near West Melbourne, where police investigated the death of a 2-year-old child. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The Brevard County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Jonnie died of acute mitragynine intoxication, according to police.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of the National Institutes of Health, kratom is a herbal substance made from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia and is commonly sold in powders, capsules, gummies and drinks.
Some people use it for its stimulant or pain-relieving effects, though federal health officials have repeatedly warned about its safety.
This Sept. 27, 2017 file photo shows kratom capsules in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mary Esch, File)
While kratom remains legal under federal law, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced earlier this month it had begun the process of temporarily placing high-potency 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products and certain related synthetic compounds into Schedule I, citing their high potential for abuse and opioid-like effects. The action does not apply to natural kratom leaf products.
Following the medical examiner’s findings and a months-long investigation, police arrested Jordan and O’Connell on Thursday. Both are being held without bond at the Brevard County Jail.
Police said Jordan’s sister, whose apartment Jonnie was taken to after leaving O’Connell’s home, is not facing any charges.
