Kentucky boy’s death not from strawberries, but fentanyl: Coroner
- Boy originally thought to have died after allergic reaction
- The cause of death was actually fentanyl intoxication, coroner said
- The stepfather of Trey Major Harris charged with manslaughter
(NewsNation) — An eight-year-old Kentucky boy initially believed to have died from an allergic reaction to strawberries actually suffered from fentanyl intoxication, NewsNation local affiliate WEHT reported.
The Hopkins County Coroner announced the cause of death for Trey Major Harris on Wednesday, but said the manner of death is still “undetermined.”
Harris’ family took him to the emergency room last month after he ate several strawberries bought from a school fundraiser and started showing signs of an allergic reaction, primarily a rash. He was discharged from the hospital a few hours later.
The next morning, family members called the Madisonville Police Department after finding Harris was not breathing and unresponsive.
The Hopkins County Health Department warned the public not to eat strawberries purchased from the same fundraiser Harris got them from. According to WEHT the Hopkins County Health Department later tested the berries, and said in April that there was nothing wrong with them.
Antonio Person, Harris’ stepfather, was arrested after the boy died on charges of trafficking fentanyl, marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Now, he faces a new second-degree manslaughter charge.