MANSFIELD, OH — An 8-year-old girl from Wooded Acres Estates in Mansfield died on May 26, 2025, from methadone toxicity, according to a newly released coroner’s report. The overdose has been classified as accidental.
Scene and Evidence
The child was found unresponsive inside the family’s mobile home. Emergency responders were unable to revive her. Investigators later confirmed the presence of liquid methadone in the residence, consistent with the autopsy findings. No signs of foul play have been reported at this time.
Methadone: A Deadly Risk to Children
Methadone is a synthetic opioid commonly prescribed for chronic pain and used in medication-assisted treatment for addiction. While effective for adults under medical supervision, it can be lethal to children in extremely small amounts. A single dose can cause respiratory failure, unconsciousness, and death—especially in children under 12.
Its long half-life and delayed onset make methadone especially dangerous. A child may appear fine after ingestion, only to deteriorate hours later when it's too late to intervene.
Safety and Prevention
To prevent tragedies like this, public health officials recommend:
- Locking up all medications—especially opioids—in childproof containers or cabinets.
- Never transferring methadone to unlabeled containers like water bottles or drink cups.
- Recognizing signs of overdose: slow or stopped breathing, unresponsiveness, vomiting, or extreme drowsiness.
- Calling 911 immediately if opioid ingestion is suspected.
- Keeping the Poison Control hotline number handy: 1-800-222-1222.
A Preventable Loss
While the investigation remains ongoing, the facts already point to a heartbreaking—and avoidable—loss. As communities across Ohio deal with the broader opioid crisis, this case is a painful reminder that safe storage of prescription medications is critical, especially when children are in the home.
FreeWire will continue to monitor updates from authorities and provide follow-up coverage as needed.
