William Gates, a 3-year-old boy, died on April 14, 2024, at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, from complications of acute diphenhydramine (Benadryl) intoxication. The child had been in the care of Randy Mollett, a 35-year-old family friend who was babysitting at his home near Grove City for approximately three days. On April 13, 2024, Mollett called 911 at approximately 6:18 p.m. to report the child was unresponsive, claiming the child had a medical emergency and a seizure. Toxicology revealed the child had more than 5,000 ng/mL of diphenhydramine in his system — a lethal dosage. Two bottles of Benadryl were found in Mollett's home, and he admitted to giving the medicine to the child, though the child's parents had not authorized its use. Mollett was charged with murder, reckless homicide, and endangering children, with bond set at $1 million per count. Notably, Mollett had a prior 2008 conviction for child endangerment involving the beating of a 23-month-old, for which he served eight years in prison.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The medical examiner report (OH_24_2374.pdf) states the cause of death as "Complications of acute diphenhydramine intoxication" and the description notes "Diphenhydramine administered by an adult caregiver." The USA Today article states the child was given "more than 5,000 ng/mL of diphenhydramine," and the NBC4i article reports "the child had ingested a lethal dosage of Diphenhydramine."
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
The USA Today article explicitly states Mollett "gave a fatal overdose of Benadryl to a toddler he was babysitting" and describes him as babysitting the child "at his home for a family friend." The NBC4i article similarly describes the child as being "in his care" and "in Mollett's custody for a period of three days." The medical examiner report describes the person who administered the drug as "an adult caregiver."
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The USA Today article states: "Randy Mollett, 35, is charged with murder, reckless homicide and endangering children, according to Franklin County Municipal Court records. Officers took him into custody Wednesday." The NBC4i article confirms: "35-year-old Randy Mollett is charged with murder, reckless homicide and endangering children."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Both news articles describe Mollett's prior criminal history predating this incident. The USA Today article states: "In 2009, Mollett was convicted of felony child endangerment and given an eight-year prison sentence, court records show. In that case, he admitted to beating a 23-month-old, causing broken bones in both of the child's hands." The NBC4i article provides additional detail: "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."
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
A significant systemic concern emerges from the documents: Randy Mollett had a prior 2008 conviction for felonious assault and child endangerment involving the beating of a 23-month-old child, for which he served approximately 8 years in prison (with early release denied in 2013). Despite this serious prior conviction for child abuse, he was entrusted by a family friend to babysit a 3-year-old for approximately three days. The NBC4i article explicitly notes this history, stating "It is the second time Mollett has been arrested on similar charges." This raises questions about the adequacy of informal childcare arrangements and community awareness of prior child abuse convictions. Additionally, two bottles of Benadryl were found at Mollett's home, and during a police interview "Mollett admitted to giving the medicine to the child" per the NBC4i article. The parents confirmed they "did not authorize the use of Benadryl."
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