Auburn 2-year-old suffers catastrophic brain injury linked to 7-OH

Key Points:

• A 2-year-old boy in Auburn, Indiana, suffered catastrophic brain injury after exposure to 7-OH, a potent opioid derived from kratom, leading to criminal charges against 20-year-old Kole Schwarz for neglect of a dependent.
• The child was hospitalized in a medically induced coma and later transferred to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis, with tests confirming kratom-related drugs in his blood; Schwarz admitted to purchasing 7-OH tablets illegally.
• The child's mother is not a suspect and has cooperated with authorities, while family members report the toddler faces severe long-term disabilities, including possible lifelong wheelchair use.
• The FDA warns about the public health risks of 7-OH products, which are illegal in Indiana but sold in Michigan as gummies, drinks, and pills, with rising kratom-related hospitalizations reported in some areas.
• Health officials and family members urge increased regulation and public awareness to prevent similar cases, highlighting the dangers of unregulated 7-OH products marketed to youth.