A 13-year-old boy from Ohio, United States, died tragically after overdosing on over-the-counter medication while attempting a popular TikTok craze. The child was taking part in the ‘Benadryl Challenge.’
Benadryl Challenge urges viewers to consume excessive amounts of the antihistamine in order to cause hallucinations.
The teen’s parents have issued a public warning to other parents about the perilous social media trend. Jacob Stevens died after a week on a ventilator after taking 12 to 14 over-the-counter antihistamine pills that caused hallucinations, his family told ABC6.com.
Jacob’s father, Justin Stevens, told ABC6 that his son overdosed last weekend while at home with friends.
According to a video filmed by his buddies, the boy began to seize after undertaking the social media challenge.
“It was too much for his body,” stated Jacob’s father.
He was transported to the hospital and placed on a ventilator.
Despite the greatest efforts of the doctor, the boy died six days later. “Worst day of his life,” Jacob’s father said.
“No brain scan, there was nothing there,” the distraught father explained. “They said we could keep him on the vent and he could lay there, but he’ll never open his eyes, breathe, smile, walk, or talk.”
Jacob’s grandmother told a local TV news outlet, “I’m going to do anything I can to ensure another child doesn’t go through it.”
The boy is remembered by his family as a well-mannered, funny, loving child.
“It didn’t matter how bad of a day I was having, no one could make me smile, Jacob could make me smile,” Mr. Stevens recalled.
They are trying to get lawmakers to put an age restriction on buying medicine like Benadryl.
“I already sent a message to Mr. Dewine. It’s my life goal now to make that happen. I’ll go at it until the day I die,” Justin said.
Jacob’s funeral will be held next week.
Also read: How to earn 15,000 dollars every day through TikTok’s latest feature?
