The cause of death of an 8-year-old Hopkins County child last month that prompted a health concern involving strawberries sold through school fundraisers has been released.
The Hopkins County Coroner’s Office said Wednesday morning that Trey Harris died of ‘fentanyl intoxication’ as ruled by the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office.
Harris was taken to a Madisonville hospital on March 15 with what was believed to be an allergic reaction to strawberries.
On Tuesday, the Hopkins County Health Department said they received the results from the FDA and state lab concerning the strawberries purchased through fundraisers at Madisonville-North Hopkins High School and Hopkins County Central High Schools. Denise Beach, the public health director for Hopkins County, said the testing of the strawberries was reported as negative by the State Epidemiologist with the health department said if the strawberries were frozen properly since last month, they are no longer issuing a caution concerning them.
There were 443 flats distributed at Madisonville and 535 distributed by Hopkins County Central. School districts in other counties, including Caldwell County, issued cautions as well if the strawberries were purchased from the same distributor.
Harris’ stepfather — 33-year-old Antonio Person — was arrested days after the child’s death on charges of trafficking fentanyl, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
Police said the death investigation led to a search warrant of the home, where police said they found drugs and a gun in the home.
Person is being held on an over $1 million bond in the Hopkins County Jail.
