Auburn, Indiana authorities say a two‑year‑old boy suffered a catastrophic brain injury after being exposed to a drug identified as 7‑OH, a potent opioid derived from kratom. Police have charged 20‑year‑old Kole Schwarz, who was living with the child’s mother at the time, with neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury.
Investigation and Charges
According to court records, Schwarz was the mother’s live‑in boyfriend when the incident occurred. Detectives report that the child’s mother told investigators she suspected Schwarz of using “7‑OH” and feared the toddler might have ingested the substance. Schwarz allegedly admitted to purchasing tablets marketed as “7‑OH” through an underground contact in Fort Wayne and claimed the tablets remained sealed in his pocket.
Law enforcement officials identified a green‑colored residue around the child’s mouth and, based on a specialized laboratory analysis, confirmed the presence of kratom‑related compounds in his blood. The affidavit filed by police states the toddler was “unresponsive and placed in a medically induced coma” after being rushed to a DeKalb County hospital on September 6. He was later transferred to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis for further care.
Auburn police emphasized that the child’s mother is not a suspect and has fully cooperated with the investigation.
Medical Findings
Medical personnel documented an “unknown green substance” near the child’s mouth and, after imaging, found MRI evidence meeting the criteria for catastrophic brain injury. The severity of the damage prompted doctors to order a custom wheelchair designed to accommodate the child until age six, though clinicians warned that the likelihood of the boy ever walking again remains uncertain.
Grandmother Josie Casebere, who spent six weeks at the hospital alongside her grandson, described the ordeal as “the hardest thing in my life,” adding that she has endured multiple personal losses and now faces the prospect of her grandchild’s permanent disability.
Regulatory Context and Public Health Response
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies 7‑OH as a highly concentrated opioid extracted from kratom, noting a “concerning proliferation of concentrated 7‑OH products that are sold over the counter and online.” The agency’s report calls the situation a public‑health threat that warrants immediate education and regulatory action to limit access.
While Indiana has declared 7‑OH illegal, the compound is still available in neighboring Michigan, where it is sold in the form of gummies, drinks, and pills. Berrien County health officials recently warned that hospitalizations linked to kratom are on the rise, highlighting that the plant’s active chemical, 7‑hydroxymitragynine (7‑OH), acts like an opioid and can trigger severe withdrawal, seizures, liver toxicity, and substance‑use disorder.
Michigan currently lacks a statewide age limit for kratom products, a gap that health officials say contributes to exposure among children. Casebere, speaking on behalf of her family, urged stronger regulation, stating, “They’re labeling it however they want to because it’s not regulated, and they’re selling it to our kids.”
The case underscores growing concerns about unregulated kratom derivatives and their potential to cause life‑threatening injuries, especially among vulnerable populations such as young children.
Helene Elliott is the Lead Science & Space Reporter at News Raise. She reports on aerospace missions, astrophysics discoveries, quantum research, and environmental technology.
