Police charged 20-year-old Kole Schwarz with neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury. Court records say Schwarz was the mother’s live-in boyfriend at the time.
Court papers say a specialized lab test later found kratom-related drugs in the 2-year-old boy's blood.
Investigators say the child’s mother told them she believed Schwarz used “7-OHs” and she was concerned the toddler may have ingested one.
Detectives say Schwarz admitted buying tablets sold as “7-OH” under the counter through a contact in Fort Wayne.
The detective calls that product the likely source of the exposure. Schwarz told police the tablets stayed sealed in his pocket.
Court papers say the child had an “unknown green substance around his mouth” and a doctor found MRI evidence that met the criteria for catastrophic injury.
Continue readingThe toddler’s grandmother, Josie Casebere, says she spent six weeks in the hospital with her grandson.
“It’s been the hardest thing in my life. I mean, I’ve lost parents and friends, and this is... I know we didn’t lose him, but it’s still been the hardest thing I’ve ever went through,” she said. “He’s got a wheelchair order that’s supposed to fit him until he’s six. If that tells you anything. They don’t know that he’ll ever walk again or anything.”
2-year-old suffers catastrophic brain injury after exposure to 7-OH
An Indiana 2-year-old suffered a catastrophic brain injury after police say he was exposed to a drug called 7-OH.
