Mom accused of giving 10-year-old son fatal dose of Benadryl to deal with ‘behavioral issues,’ deputies say

(Gray News) – A mother in New York is accused of killing her 10-year-old son after allegedly giving him a fatal dose of diphenhydramine to address his “behavioral issues.”

Deputies responded to an unattended-death call about 9:40 a.m. Jan. 19 at a home, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Following a month-long investigation, Rebecca A. Jordan, 41, was arrested on April 15.

Investigators alleged Jordan “recklessly” caused her son’s death by giving him an excessive amount of diphenhydramine, the antihistamine found in Benadryl.

She is also accused of hiding a bottle of the medication from investigators so it couldn’t be used in an official proceeding.

Authorities said there is no indication the child requested medication to help him sleep. Investigators believe the drug was given to manage behavioral issues.

Sheriff Jeffrey Brown said the dose was enough to kill an adult, and investigators believe it was given to make the child sleep, WTEN reported.

Jordan was charged with second-degree manslaughter, tampering with physical evidence and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the child’s death, authorities announced.

Prosecutors said the manslaughter charge carries a potential sentence of five to 15 years in prison, with additional penalties possible for the tampering charge.

Copyright 2026 Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

For more U.S. news, click here.