The Washington Post reports that a 19-month-old baby girl died from ingesting a lethal amount of fentanyl inside her family’s Florida vacation rental in August 2021. The Lavenirs had rented a four-bedroom, two-bathroom lake house through Airbnb for their family vacation in Wellington, Florida, where they found daughter Enora unconscious in her crib. At first, the family believed that the cause of death might have been sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), but an independent toxicology report later discovered a lethal amount of fentanyl in the baby's system. The family had never heard of the drug before.
Despite an investigation by the Palm Beach County medical examiner, it could not be determined how the child had access to the drug. The fentanyl ingested by Enora could not be connected to the family, their belongings, or a party hosted by a previous renter. "I am currently unable to determine how the child ingested the fentanyl," an investigator wrote in the latest report. "Therefore I am unable to develop probable cause for abuse or neglect leading to the death of Enora Lavenir." The cause of death is currently on record as accidental, and a spokeswoman from the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the case is closed.
Although no criminal charges have been brought, the family is pursuing legal action against Airbnb, the property owner, the rental's manager, and a previous renter who had hosted a party. The family claims that drugs present in the unit during the party were not properly cleaned up.
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Although fentanyl-related deaths among children are rare, 260 children under four years old have died from exposure to the drug since 2018, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While the case is unlikely to make it to trial due to the difficulty in determining the source of the fentanyl, the family is still seeking answers. "What is certain is, Enora had contact with fentanyl in the Airbnb," says Enora's father.
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Claire Brito is House Beautiful’s Social Editor. She loves the art of the perfect housewarming gift, throw pillow calculus, and is obsessive about glassware. Her work has been published in Drew + Jonathan Reveal, Rachael Ray Magazine, and more. Originally from Texas, she now resides in New York. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
