Tragic Incident: Child’s Death Linked to Benadryl Overdose, Authorities Report

A tragic case has emerged involving a 43-year-old mother from New York, who is facing accusations of fatally poisoning her 10-year-old son with Benadryl, allegedly to manage his “behavioral issues.” Rebecca A. Jordan has been arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter, tampering with physical evidence, and endangering the welfare of a child, officials have reported.

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office released a statement indicating that deputies were called to respond to an unattended death at approximately 9:40 a.m. on January 19. The incident took place at a home located on Route 146 in Halfmoon, roughly 20 miles from Albany.

After several months of investigation, Jordan was taken into custody on Wednesday, April 15.

Authorities allege that Jordan “recklessly” caused her son’s death by administering an excessive dose of diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl, which resulted in the boy’s intoxication, aspiration of stomach contents, and impaired breathing. She is also accused of concealing a bottle of the medication to obstruct its use in the legal proceedings.

Jordan has been arraigned in Malta Town Court and is currently held at the Saratoga County Jail as she awaits further legal actions.

Reporting from Albany, New York-based NBC affiliate WNYT provided additional insight into the case, including the role toxicology testing played in determining the child’s cause of death. Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby told the station that the circumstances of the child’s death were highly unusual.

“It’s an absolute tragedy. It’s not something that we see regularly,” Eby said. “The toxicology reports and investigation yielded something that is unseen to most prosecutors and law enforcement personnel.”

Eby said the amount of medication given to the child far exceeded any appropriate dosage.

“The amount and the dosage here is far beyond what is even, what a reasonable juror would expect is appropriate for a parent in this situation,” he said.

Authorities said there is no indication the child requested medication to help him sleep. Instead, investigators believe the drug was administered in an attempt to manage behavioral issues.

“It was an effort to parent and deal with in a neglectful way, obviously, but to administer and to try to deal with some sort of perceived behavioral issues,” Eby said.

Sheriff Jeffrey Brown said the dosage was enough medication to kill an adult, and investigators believe it was given to make the child go to sleep, WTEN reported.

Authorities also determined that the drug’s effects led to the child aspirating stomach contents and experiencing impaired breathing, ultimately causing his death.

As investigators worked the case, Jordan allegedly attempted to conceal evidence by hiding the medication bottle, according to officials.

Brown called the case one of the most difficult his office handles.

“Child death cases are among the most tragic that we handle,” he said. “We will always be a deafening voice for those who cannot speak for themselves, and I look forward to justice being served for this innocent boy.”

Jordan remains in custody at the Saratoga County Jail. Prosecutors said the manslaughter charge carries a potential sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison, with additional penalties possible for the evidence tampering charge.