Randy Mollett: 'Family friend' who killed boy, 3, with Benadryl in Ohio had child endangerment conviction
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
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COLUMBUS, OHIO: A man administered a lethal dose of Benadryl to a 3-year-old boy while babysitting at his residence on April 13.
Following this, the defendant, Randy Mollett, has been charged with murder, reckless homicide, and endangering children, as stated by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
Upon learning of the child's death, the grandmother expressed her anguish over the loss of the toddler and questioned the man for his cruelty toward the boy.
What did Randy Mollett do?
According to Law&Crime, authorities were alerted around 6.18 pm to an unresponsive child in the 6200 block of London Groveport Road in Darbydale, just outside Columbus. This occurred after Mollett placed a 911 call upon discovering the baby unresponsive.
In the call, he informed detectives, "I need all here fast. My nephew just had a seizure and he is not responsive. He is not breathing." Mollett also confessed to babysitting the boy at his residence when the seizure occurred.
Medics promptly transported the child to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus in serious condition. Doctors later pronounced the boy deceased.
Randy Mollett arrested in connection to death of 3-year-old
Following the confirmation of the child's death, investigators arrested Mollett on May 1. They also concluded that he administered a fatal overdose of diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in the medication Benadryl, to the boy.
According to a criminal complaint, Mollett had been responsible for the boy's care for three days. Police found two bottles of Benadryl at the residence.
Mollett allegedly confessed to giving the boy Benadryl. During the investigation, an investigator asserted that the incident was not accidental. The investigator stated, "It was intentional. What occurred was undoubtedly intentional."
Child's grandmother wants answers
During Mollett’s bond hearing last week, a woman who identified herself as the boy’s grandmother spoke, stating that 'family friend' Mollett and the boy shared a close bond.
“I don’t understand, I don’t and I want to know why because he was such a wonderful boy,” she said. “He was great and he loved this man. I don’t understand why this could happen to such a sweet baby. He didn’t deserve it.”
Records indicate that Mollett previously pleaded guilty to child endangerment in 2009.
According to reports, Mollett confessed to causing injuries to a 23-month-old child’s hands. Court documents state that a judge sentenced him to eight years in prison.
Mollett is currently held in the Franklin County Jail on a $4 million bond.
