Florida Grandmother Accused of Manslaughter After Deadly Antihistamine Found in 11-Month-Old Grandson’s Bottles: Sheriff
Florida woman arrested after her 11-month-old grandson died while in her care.
Oct. 19 2023, Published 4:00 p.m. ET
A Florida grandmother has been arrested in connection with the death of her 11-month-old grandson, who died following an overdose of an antihistamine, RadarOnline.com has learned.
According to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, medical personnel were called to a residence in Oakland Park on Aug. 21, 2022, and they transported Josiah Fenelus to Broward Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, as Front Page Detectives reported.
The boyfriend took the child to the hospital and he remains in critical condition, police said.
In October 2022, autopsy results showed the infant, who had been in the care of his grandmother, 53-year-old Tibina Louissant, had a lethal amount of cyproheptadine in his system, authorities said.
According to prosecutors, two baby bottles with a prescription cough syrup containing cyproheptadine were found in the home.
Two of Josiah's baby bottles contained cyproheptadine
Josiah was healthy when he was left for the weekend with his grandmother, but he suffered swelling on the brain as well as bleeding on his scalp by the time he was rushed to the hospital, WPLG reported.
Officials said cyproheptadine is not approved for use in children younger than 2-years-old, and an overdose of the powerful antihistamine can result in disorientation, hallucinations, coma and even death.
Josiah's death was ruled a homicide by an overdose of cyproheltadine.
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This summer, toxicology tests were completed and experts determined the two baby bottles tested positive for the antihistamine.
Josiah’s death was ruled a homicide by cyproheptadine toxicity, authorities said.
Leighton was arrested and charged in connection with his girlfriend's murder.
During the investigation, Louissant allegedly told detectives she was the only person responsible for making Josiah’s bottles when he was in her care, officials said.
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On Oct. 13, Louissant was arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child.
She was booked into the Broward County Main Jail and released on bond the following day.