Grandma arrested after infant allegedly overdoses on prescription cough syrup

Tibina Louissant (BSO) and Josiah Fenelus (WTVJ screenshot)

Tibina Louissant (BSO) and Josiah Fenelus (WTVJ screenshot)

A 53-year-old grandmother in Florida was arrested last week for allegedly killing her own 11-month-old grandson more than a year ago by plying the infant full of so much prescription-strength cough syrup that he overdosed. Tibina Louissant was taken into custody on Friday and charged with one count of aggravated manslaughter in the tragic death of young Josiah Fenelus, authorities announced.

According to a press release from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, BSO deputies and Oakland Park Fire Rescue at about 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 21, 2022, responded to a call regarding an unresponsive child at a residence located in the 100 block of N.W. 40th Court in Oakland Park.

Upon arriving at the scene, first responders located the child and began life-saving measures as paramedics rushed the victim — later identified as Josiah Fenelus — to Broward Health Medical Center. Unfortunately, shortly after arriving at the facility, the infant was pronounced dead.

Following the little boy’s death, detectives with the BSO homicide unit and crime scene investigators took control of the case.

Investigators soon learned that Josiah’s family had left him in the care of Louissant, his paternal grandmother, over the weekend. Over the course of the weekend, Josiah, who authorities say did not have any known medical problems, suddenly became unresponsive.