Fentanyl, not strawberries, caused Kentucky boy’s death: coroner
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — Authorities in Kentucky say the cause of death for an 8-year-old boy was linked to fentanyl, not an allergic reaction thought to be caused by strawberries as originally believed.
Last month, police in Madisonville said they were called to a home for a boy, later identified as Trey Harris, who was found unresponsive and not breathing at a home. Before officers could arrive at the home, the boy’s family had rushed him to the emergency room, Nexstar’s WEHT previously reported. The boy was pronounced dead a short time later, police said.
According to authorities, Harris’ family said the 8-year-old had eaten several strawberries from a school fundraiser from the night before. When he began showing signs of a possible allergic reaction, primarily manifesting as a rash, Harris was given Benadryl and soaked in a bath.
The symptoms reportedly persisted, and the family said the boy was brought to an emergency room. After waiting for several hours, they decided to return home. Harris was later found unresponsive when his family tried to wake him for school in the morning.
At the time, detectives were told by hospital staff that others had come in for treatment after consuming strawberries believed to be from the same fundraiser. As a precaution, the Hopkins County Health Department and the Hopkins County Board of Education were notified of the situation and a warning was issued until more details could be identified as possible causes.
The health department also noted that the incident appeared to be linked to an allergic reaction to the strawberries.
But now, almost a month later, the Hopkins County Coroner says the Kentucky State Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the cause of Harris’ death as “fentanyl intoxication,” and the manner of death as “undetermined.” Additional details were not released.
Antonio Person, Harris’ stepfather, was arrested in late March for several drug charges after a search warrant connected to the boy’s death was executed on their home. At the time of Person’s arrest, Madisonville Police said there was no foul play suspect in Harris’ death.
According to the Hopkins County Jail, Person is now facing a new charge of manslaughter in the second degree.
On Tuesday, state health officials confirmed that extensive testing found the strawberries sold during the school fundraiser were safe to eat.
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