“A Texas father has been convicted of manslaughter after giving his two-month-old daughter Benadryl to gain ‘alone time’ with his wife, leading to her tragic death.”
A Texas man, Adam Canales Jr., has been convicted of manslaughter following the tragic death of his two-month-old daughter, Athena Brigida-Kay Canales, in July 2021. Prosecutors revealed that Canales gave his infant daughter a dose of Benadryl, an over-the-counter allergy medicine, in a bid to have some “quality time” with his wife, Sarah Canales, who also faces manslaughter charges.
A Habit of Reckless Actions
The prosecution argued that Canales and his wife made a habit of administering over-the-counter, sleep-inducing medications to their children whenever they wanted some time alone. District Attorney Sunshine Stanek described the father’s actions as “selfish and reckless,” emphasizing that it was this behavior that led to Athena’s death.
Stanek stated, “This defendant was so selfish and reckless in his actions that he caused the death of Athena. They made a habit of giving their kids, including Athena, medicine to make them sleep. When they were tired and just wanted adult time to themselves, they dosed her.”
A Father’s Defense: The Death Was Accidental
Canales’ attorney, Kristopher Mincey, argued that the death was accidental. He pointed out that raising six children in the Canales’ Idalou home had been stressful, and neither parent communicated that they had separately administered Benadryl to Athena. Mincey stated that the overdose was a tragic mistake, but unintentional.
The Investigation and Conviction
On July 11, 2021, local authorities responded to a call about an unresponsive child at the Canales family home. Upon arrival, they found Athena dead. Officers discovered a variety of drugs in the home, including cough syrups and products containing diphenhydramine, such as NyQuil and ZzzQuil.
Initially, Canales Jr. denied giving the drug to Athena, but later admitted to administering the medication. An autopsy revealed that Athena died from “mixed drug toxicity,” with diphenhydramine levels deemed dangerously high for an infant.
The Dangers of Benadryl for Infants
Benadryl, which contains diphenhydramine, is a sedating antihistamine. The FDA and CDC warn that it should not be given to children under two years old without medical supervision. Even small overdoses can cause severe side effects, including heart arrhythmias, coma, seizures, and death. In Athena’s case, the dosage she received was far too high for an infant to survive.
The Road Ahead for the Canales Family
Canales Jr. was convicted of manslaughter on August 28, 2024, and is now awaiting sentencing. He faces up to 20 years in prison. His wife, Sarah Canales, is also standing trial separately on the same charge. This case highlights the tragic consequences of reckless parenting and the importance of ensuring that children are kept safe from harmful substances.
