Tibina Louissant Arrested for Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child
On Friday, October 13th, Broward Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit detectives arrested Tibina Louissant for aggravated manslaughter of a child. The arrest came after an investigation into the death of 11-month-old Josiah Fenelus, who was found unresponsive at Louissant’s home in Oakland Park, Florida.
The incident occurred on August 21, 2022, when Broward County Regional Communications received a call regarding an unresponsive child. Deputies and Oakland Park Fire Rescue responded to the scene and rushed Josiah to Broward Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.
Following the tragic event, a thorough investigation was initiated by BSO homicide detectives and crime scene investigators. The investigation revealed that Josiah’s family had left him in the care of his paternal grandmother, Louissant, for the weekend. It was during this time that Josiah, who had no known medical problems, became unresponsive.
The Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy and determined in October 2022 that Josiah Fenelus had a lethal concentration of the powerful antihistamine cyproheptadine in his body. Furthermore, toxicology tests performed in the summer of 2023 on items found in Louissant’s home, specifically two baby bottles, tested positive for cyproheptadine. Louissant admitted to being the only person who prepared Josiah’s bottles while he was in her care.
On August 14th, the final autopsy report was completed, revealing that Josiah’s cause of death was cyproheptadine toxicity, and the manner of death was determined to be a homicide.
Louissant was arrested on October 13th and subsequently booked into the Broward County Main Jail. She was released on bond the following day after a court appearance.
Cyproheptadine, the powerful antihistamine found in Josiah’s body and in the baby bottles, is a prescription medication that also acts as an appetite stimulant. It is often used in attempts to gain weight or enhance one’s physical appearance. However, cyproheptadine is only legal with a doctor’s prescription and is not approved for use in children younger than 2-years-old. An overdose of antihistamines can lead to disorientation, hallucinations, coma, and even death.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible medication handling and the potential dangers of using prescription drugs without proper medical supervision. The Broward Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit continues to investigate this case, ensuring justice is served for Josiah Fenelus.
The case also highlights the need for awareness and regulation surrounding the availability of medications without prescriptions, especially those that can have severe consequences when misused or given to young children. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises that cyproheptadine should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
As the investigation progresses, the community of Oakland Park and beyond mourns the loss of Josiah Fenelus and hopes for justice to prevail. The Broward Sheriff’s Office remains committed to conducting a thorough investigation and bringing the responsible parties to justice.
