An 11-year-old boy has died, and his two siblings are in critical condition after their mother allegedly fed them liquid methadone in Malaysia.
Selangor Police confirmed on Wednesday, February 11, that three children were taken to the Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin Hospital in the town of Kajang after they became sick, according to a statement shared via Facebook that has since been translated to English.
The post said that police with the District Police Headquarters in Kajang received information about the case from the medical officer at the hospital at around 9 a.m.
The 11-year-old died, while his 5-year-old brother and 9-year-old brother are currently being treated in the hospital, according to The Straits Times. The children were taken to the hospital around 7:50 a.m. on February 11.
Police confirmed in the statement that the two younger brothers were receiving treatment in the intensive care unit, per the translated media statement. Meanwhile, the Straits Times reported that the boys are currently in critical condition.
Selangor Police Chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said that a 35-year-old female suspect has been detained in Kajang for allegedly feeding the boys methadone, according to Malaysian news agency Bernama.
“Yes, I confirm that one child has died while two others are receiving treatment at a hospital,” he said in a statement on February 11.
The outlet also reported that the brothers were allegedly fed methadone at a house in Sungai Ramal Buru. The Selangor Police said in the media statement that the victims’ parents have both been arrested in connection to the crime. However, the charges they’re facing are not currently known.
It is not currently clear if there was a motive behind the poisonings. The names of the victims and suspects have not yet been publicly released, while it’s also not known if the suspects have entered pleas or retained legal representation following their arrests.
The investigation into the situation remains ongoing as authorities try to determine what events led to the children being fed methadone.
Methadone is a “long-acting full opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder,” according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Methadone used to treat those with a confirmed diagnosis of opioid use disorder (OUD) can only be dispensed through a SAMHSA certified opioid treatment program (OTP).”
Methadone use can cause several common side effects such as restlessness, nausea or vomiting, slow breathing, itchy skin, heavy sweating, constipation and sexual problems.
Meanwhile, taking the medication can also lead to more serious side effects such as difficulty breathing or shallow breathing, feeling lightheaded or faint, developing hives or a rash, experiencing swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, chest pain, an increased heartbeat and hallucinations or confusion.
Methadone should only be taken by those prescribed the medication. Not only can the medication be dangerous when taken in high doses, but it can also cause heart conditions when interacting with certain other medications.
“Even after the effects of methadone wear off, the medication’s active ingredients remain in the body for much longer,” the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s website states.
