A Florida father and the mother of his children are behind bars after police said they failed to seek emergency care when a 2-year-old girl turned blue, suffered a seizure and began breathing abnormally after allegedly ingesting kratom pills.
Jerome Jonathon Jordan, 35, and Charlene Rea O’Connell, 32, are each charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm in the death of 2-year-old Jonnie Jordan, according to the West Melbourne Police Department.
The two-month-long investigation began on May 18 when the little girl was rushed unresponsive to Holmes Regional Medical Center.
Hospital staff pronounced her dead shortly after arrival.
The charges come more than two months after Jonnie was rushed to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne on May 18.
According to investigators, Jonnie had been staying the night before at a Palm Bay home with her father, Jerome Jordan, and Charlene O’Connell.
Detectives say the child gained access to Kratom pills belonging to the adults and ingested up to two and a half pills.
The sequence of events prosecutors will present to jurors is stark.
Police said both adults knew Jonnie had taken the substance, saw her lips turn blue, experience seizure-like activity, and have abnormal breathing.
Despite witnessing those severe symptoms, neither called 911.
Police said Jordan took his daughter to a family member’s apartment, where he put her to bed. He later took her to the hospital after discovering she was unresponsive.
The early investigation veered in one direction after Jordan reached the hospital.
Investigators said Jordan initially urged hospital staff to administer Narcan, leading detectives to suspect an overdose early in the investigation.
Narcan reverses the effects of opioid overdoses, so his request suggested he understood the drug’s opioid-like properties.
When the medical examiner’s findings came back weeks later, the theory shifted.
An autopsy conducted by the Brevard County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Jonnie died from acute mitragynine intoxication, a substance found in Kratom.
Mitragynine is the primary active compound found in kratom, a substance sold over the counter that can produce stimulant and opioid-like effects.
Kratom has drawn mounting scrutiny nationwide as overdose deaths accumulate.
The FDA warns consumers against kratom use “because of the risk of serious adverse events, including liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder (SUD),” the agency’s website states.
Jonnie’s biological mother, Laicee Henry, spoke to the media about her lost daughter.
“Jonnie 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.
The child’s aunt joined the chorus of family members expressing both loss and anger.
Her aunt, Hope Helton, described her niece as “the brightest little girl ever. Her little laugh, her little smile can brighten any day.”
However, the pain of her loss remains immense, with Helton sharing that she feels “hurt and angry.”
Helton directed sharp criticism at the two defendants.
“They chose to do nothing,” Helton said. “They watched her suffer and chose to take no action. They definitely need to be held accountable.”
A judge has sided with her assessment by denying both suspects bond.
Both suspects are being held at the Brevard County Jail without bond.
Police said Jordan’s sister, who accompanied him to the hospital, is not facing any charges.
In the viral moment that has triggered this criminal investigation, two adults sat by while a toddler ingested kratom pills at a Palm Bay residence on the evening of May 17 and watched her display the hallmark signs of poisoning—blue lips, seizures, and gasping breaths. Instead of dialing 911, they chose to manage the crisis privately: Jordan carried his daughter to his sister’s nearby apartment, put her to bed, and went to sleep himself. Hours later, when he discovered her unresponsive, he finally rushed her to the hospital. By then it was too late. Medical staff pronounced her dead within minutes of arrival.
The two defendants now face a legal reckoning for their inaction during what prosecutors say were hours of critical opportunity to save her life.
The investigation remains ongoing.