COLUMBUS – A 12-year-old boy’s death in July has been ruled an accidental overdose of fentanyl.
Kanye Champelle was at a sleepover birthday party at a cousin’s house when he became unconscious and unresponsive, according to a report by WBNS 10-TV.
Kanye was rushed to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where he died two days later. Medics removed a piece of chewing gum from his throat.
A report from the franklin County Coroner’s Office determined that the coroner says the gum was not the cause of death. The report says Kanye died of lack of oxygen to his brain as a consequence of intoxication by fentanyl, a painkiller so powerful that even skin contact can be deadly.
Columbus Police say homicide and narcotics detectives are investigating just how Kanye came into contact with the drug.