A Florida father and the mother of his children have been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm following the death of their 2-year-old daughter, Jonnie Jordan. Authorities say the toddler ingested kratom pills, which led to her lips turning blue, a seizure, and abnormal breathing. Despite these symptoms, neither adult called 911 or sought medical care.

Jerome Jonathon Jordan, 35, and Charlene Rea O'Connell, 32, were arrested and are being held without bond at the Brevard County Jail, according to the West Melbourne Police Department. The charges come more than two months after Jonnie was rushed to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne on May 18, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Kratom is a herbal substance derived from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia and is commonly sold in powders, capsules, gummies, and drinks. Craig Basman has warned about the addictive dangers of kratom, explaining that the compound 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) in concentrated kratom products interacts with opioid receptors, mimicking potent drugs like fentanyl and morphine. This interaction can lead to severe dependence, potential overdose, and challenging withdrawal symptoms.

While kratom remains legal under federal law, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced earlier in July 2026 that it had begun the process of temporarily placing high-potency 7-OH products and certain related synthetic compounds into Schedule I due to their high potential for abuse and opioid-like effects.

This case highlights growing concerns about kratom's safety and the legal responsibilities of caregivers in emergency situations involving children.

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