A teen girl who was in the custody of Maryland’s Department of Human Services (DHS) died from suicide in a Baltimore hotel, the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office said Tuesday.
Kanaiyah Ward, 16, was found dead in the Residence Inn by Marriott hotel on North Wolfe Street on September 22, according to police.
Ward died from Diphenhydramine intoxication, according to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office. The over-the-counter antihistamine is often sold under the brand name Benadryl.
The DHS said it was investigating after Ward’s death. Earlier on Tuesday, the department said it paused work with Fenwick Behavioral Services, the service hired to provide one-on-one aid to Ward.
Ward’s death raises concerns
Ward’s death raised numerous concerns for state leaders from all political backgrounds.
Her death came weeks after an audit slammed DHS and the Maryland Social Services Administration, alleging they failed to protect some children in their care from sex offenders and provide basic medical needs to thousands of minors.
The audit also highlighted that children were being housed in hotels, and detailed a case where a contracted worker in one of the hotels had a prior murder conviction.
Teen in Maryland DHS custody died from suicide in Baltimore hotel, autopsy reveals
