A tragic incident unfolded in Indiana when an 18-month-old toddler, Azana Trentman, died after accidentally ingesting a pill used for opioid addiction treatment. The pill was found in a backpack at a thrift store, according to statements from the family and local officials. The toddler fell ill on September 4 and was immediately rushed to the hospital. Despite medical efforts, she passed away on September 8, as reported by the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Office.
Azana’s parents, Austen Trentman and Shayna Wood, had taken their daughter to a Dillsboro thrift store. While they were shopping, Azana started playing with a backpack. According to a Facebook post by her grandmother, Tawnya Wood, Azana found something in the backpack and ingested it. Austen, unsure of what the substance was, induced vomiting in an attempt to clear her mouth.
The substance tasted sweet and had a consistency similar to melted candy, leading the family to believe it was harmless. They continued with their day, but upon returning home, their situation took a drastic turn. After several days of testing, the toxicology report revealed that the substance was a fruit-flavored, dissolvable suboxone pill, a medication primarily used to treat opioid addiction, as per Harvard Medical School.
Following the incident, Azana was stabilized and transferred to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Despite the medical team’s best efforts, the toddler did not survive. In a heartrending decision, her parents chose to donate her organs to three recipients, ensuring that Azana’s legacy would live on in others.
Tawnya Wood expressed her grief and love for her granddaughter in a subsequent Facebook post, stating, “She brought immense joy and love into our lives, and her memory will forever remain in our hearts.” She also mentioned that Azana’s organ donation would not only save and improve the lives of three recipients but also allow Azana to live on through them.
A GoFundMe page was set up to support the family during this difficult time, surpassing its initial goal of $10,000 and raising over $19,000. A fundraiser is also planned for September 14 at the couple’s favorite local thrift store, which is different from the one where the tragic incident occurred.
The Dearborn County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the toddler’s cause of death, awaiting results from the autopsy. The thrift store where the incident occurred has not been identified, but the family has expressed their disappointment and grief over the store’s apparent negligence in inspecting donated items before selling them.