Two people have been charged in connection with the death of a 2-year-old in Ponchatoula, police said.
Brooke Harter, 31, and Dominick Cenni, 27, turned themselves in to police on Oct. 23 and Oct. 22, respectively, according to Police Chief Bry Layrisson.
Police began investigating the child’s death on Aug. 24, 2026. Detectives interviewed Harter, the child’s mother, and Cenni, her boyfriend.
The autopsy found the child’s cause of death was the toxic effects of dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine, substances found in kratom, police said.
Cenni was charged with negligent homicide, cruelty to juveniles, criminal abandonment and obstruction of justice. Harter was charged with negligent homicide, cruelty to juveniles and criminal abandonment.
The investigation is ongoing, police said.
READ MORE:Mother and boyfriend face charges in Ponchatoula toddler death case
