Jerome Jonathon Jordan, 35, and Charlene Rea O'Connell, 32, a Florida father and mother, are behind bars after a 2-year-old girl, Jonnie Jordan, died under their care.
According to investigators, Jonnie ingested kratom pills at O'Connell's Palm Bay home, where she suffered a seizure and began breathing abnormally.
Police allege Jordan and O'Connell failed to seek emergency medical care, instead watching as the toddler's condition worsened before eventually driving her to a hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.
The Brevard County Medical Examiner's Office determined that Jonnie died of acute mitragynine intoxication.
Kratom is a herbal substance made from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia and is commonly sold in various forms, including powders, capsules, and gummies.
While kratom remains legal under federal law, health officials have repeatedly warned about its safety, citing its high potential for abuse and opioid-like effects.
Following a months-long investigation, police arrested Jordan and O'Connell on Thursday, charging them with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm.
Both are being held without bond at the Brevard County Jail, while Jordan's sister, who took care of Jonnie at her apartment, is not facing any charges.
