Lethal Benadryl dose used in murder of Ohio 3-year-old, investigators say

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A man who served eight years in prison for child endangerment was arrested Wednesday for his alleged role in the death of a three-year-old child.

According to court documents, 35-year-old Randy Mollett is charged with murder, reckless homicide and endangering children after a child in his care reportedly suffered a seizure and died on April 13.

A criminal complaint report states that Mollett called 911 at 6:18 p.m. to report a juvenile had stopped breathing at his home on London-Groveport Road, near Grove City. Medics took the three-year-old child to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

The toxicology report revealed that the child had ingested a lethal dosage of Diphenhydramine, which is commonly referred to as Benadryl. Parents told police that their child was in Mollett’s custody for a period of three days, but that they did not authorize the use of Benadryl.

Two bottles of Benadryl were found in Mollett’s home. During an interview, police said Mollett admitted to giving the medicine to the child.

On Thursday, a Franklin County Municipal Court judge issued Mollett a $1 million bond and scheduled him to appear in court Friday on a murder charge. He is currently being held in Franklin County Jail.

It is the second time Mollett has been arrested on similar charges. In 2008 he received three counts each of felonious assault and endangering children from an incident in which a 23-month-old suffered broken bones in both hands. He later pleaded guilty to one count of endangering children and was sentenced to eight years in prison.

In 2013, a Franklin County Court of Common Pleas judge denied a motion for early judicial release.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office asked anyone with information regarding this incident or Mollett to call 614-525-3351.