North Carolina Infant Dead, 4-Year-Old Hospitalized After Ingesting Oxycodone; Mom, Boyfriend Charged

A North Carolina mother and her boyfriend have been charged in connection with the death of the woman's baby and the hospitalization of her 4-year-old child after the two kids ingested Oxycodone in their Nashville home.

The children's mother, Jorese Howard, and her boyfriend, Kameron Daekwon Harris-Brook, were arrested on Sept. 6 on charges of involuntary manslaughter and possession with intent to sell/deliver Schedule II controlled substance, reported Wavy.com.

Harris-Brook, who hails from Charlotte, was initially arrested on misdemeanor child abuse charges. However, his charges were upgraded to manslaughter after the 1-year-old died on Sept. 9. The police then arrested Howard on similar charges.

Emergency personnel and Nashville police officers responded to a home in Richardson Court at around 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 6 after receiving a report about the two children. Upon arrival, the emergency personnel performed life-saving measures on both kids.

The children were rushed to Nash UNC Hospital for treatment and were later moved to Vidant Hospital in Greenville, where the infant died after three days. The 4-year-old child remains in the hospital but is now in stable condition, according to police.

Following the incident, authorities notified the Nash County Department of Social Services and an investigation was launched. The investigators believe the children "accidentally ingested" Oxycodone after they found the drug on a bed.

Harris-Brooks is now being held on a $260,000 bond while Howard was placed in the Nash County Jail under a $50,000 secured bond.

According to court records, Harris-Brooks has multiple previous convictions including breaking and entering, felony larceny, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon and felony probation violation. He also has pending charges of larceny and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The court previously released him on these charges under a $100,000 secured bond, WSPA said in a report.

Oxycodone is a highly addictive opioid medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. It may cause some serious side effects, such as seizures, breathing problems and physical dependence. According to American Addiction Centers, in 2017 alone, 1.7 million people were found to be dependent on a prescription opioid.