Toddler Suffers Severe Brain Injury After 7-OH Exposure

WHO:

Hawaii News Now - Police charged 20-year-old Kole Schwarz with neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury; court records identify him as the toddler’s mother’s live-in boyfriend.

WAFB - Police charged 20-year-old Kole Schwarz with neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury; court records identify him as the toddler’s mother’s live-in boyfriend.

Hawaii News Now - Auburn police said the child’s mother is not a suspect and cooperated throughout the investigation.

WAFB - Auburn police said the child’s mother is not a suspect and cooperated throughout the investigation.

Hawaii News Now - The toddler’s grandmother, Josie Casebere, said she spent six weeks in the hospital with her grandson.

WAFB - The toddler’s grandmother, Josie Casebere, said she spent six weeks in the hospital with her grandson.

WHAT:

Hawaii News Now - An Indiana 2-year-old suffered catastrophic brain injury after police said he was exposed to 7-OH, a kratom-related drug.

WAFB - An Indiana 2-year-old suffered catastrophic brain injury after police said he was exposed to 7-OH, a kratom-related drug.

Hawaii News Now - The child was found “unresponsive and placed in a medically induced coma.” A specialized lab test later detected kratom-related drugs in his blood.

WAFB - The child was found “unresponsive and placed in a medically induced coma.” A specialized lab test later detected kratom-related drugs in his blood.

Hawaii News Now - Court papers said the child had an “unknown green substance around his mouth”; a doctor found MRI evidence meeting the criteria for catastrophic injury.

WAFB - Court papers said the child had an “unknown green substance around his mouth”; a doctor found MRI evidence meeting the criteria for catastrophic injury.

Hawaii News Now - Schwarz told police he bought tablets sold as “7-OH” under the counter through a Fort Wayne contact. A detective called the product the likely source of exposure; Schwarz said the tablets stayed sealed in his pocket.

WAFB - Schwarz told police he bought tablets sold as “7-OH” under the counter through a Fort Wayne contact. A detective called the product the likely source of exposure; Schwarz said the tablets stayed sealed in his pocket.

Hawaii News Now - Casebere said, “They don’t know that he’ll ever walk again or anything,” and that the child has a wheelchair order intended to fit him until age six.

WAFB - Casebere said, “They don’t know that he’ll ever walk again or anything,” and that the child has a wheelchair order intended to fit him until age six.

Hawaii News Now - The FDA describes 7-OH as a potent opioid concentrated from kratom and warned of a “concerning proliferation” of concentrated products sold over the counter and online.

WAFB - The FDA describes 7-OH as a potent opioid concentrated from kratom and warned of a “concerning proliferation” of concentrated products sold over the counter and online.

Hawaii News Now - Berrien County health officials warned that kratom-related hospitalizations are rising. The county said kratom can cause withdrawal symptoms, seizures, liver toxicity, substance use disorder, and overdose.

WAFB - Berrien County health officials warned that kratom-related hospitalizations are rising. The county said kratom can cause withdrawal symptoms, seizures, liver toxicity, substance use disorder, and overdose.

WHERE:

Hawaii News Now - The child was taken to a hospital in DeKalb County, Indiana, and later transferred to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis.

WAFB - The child was taken to a hospital in DeKalb County, Indiana, and later transferred to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis.

Hawaii News Now - The articles state 7-OH is illegal in Indiana and sold as gummies, drinks, and pills in Michigan; Michigan has no statewide age limit.

WAFB - The articles state 7-OH is illegal in Indiana and sold as gummies, drinks, and pills in Michigan; Michigan has no statewide age limit.

WHY:

Hawaii News Now - Investigators said the mother believed Schwarz used “7-OHs” and was concerned the toddler may have ingested one.

WAFB - Investigators said the mother believed Schwarz used “7-OHs” and was concerned the toddler may have ingested one.

Hawaii News Now - Casebere said she spoke out to raise awareness, adding, “They’re labeling it however they want to because it’s not regulated, and they’re selling it to our kids.”

WAFB - Casebere said she spoke out to raise awareness, adding, “They’re labeling it however they want to because it’s not regulated, and they’re selling it to our kids.”

HOW:

Hawaii News Now - The child’s exposure was investigated through witness interviews, court records, toxicology testing, and MRI findings.

WAFB - The child’s exposure was investigated through witness interviews, court records, toxicology testing, and MRI findings.

(UPDATED October 27, 2026 10:08 UTC)

An Indiana toddler suffered catastrophic brain injury after police say he was exposed to 7-OH, a potent kratom-derived opioid, and 20-year-old Kole Schwarz has been charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury. The child was found unresponsive, placed in a medically induced coma, and later tested positive for kratom-related drugs; his grandmother says doctors cannot say whether he will walk again, while the child’s mother is not a suspect and cooperated with investigators. Police say Schwarz told them he bought tablets sold as 7-OH, which is illegal in Indiana, and federal and local health officials have warned about concentrated kratom products and related health risks.