The stepfather of the Hopkins County boy who died after eating strawberries has been arrested.
Antonio M. Person, 33, of Madisonville, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with trafficking in a controlled substance (fentanyl), possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also served with two warrants.
Person is the stepfather of eight-year-old Trey Harris who died on March 15 after eating strawberries sold as a school fundraiser.
Authorities are awaiting toxicology testing results to determine if Trey died after suffering an allergic reaction or if the strawberries were somehow tainted. Several other people reported being sick after eating the strawberries.
The strawberries, grown at Southern Grown and Sizemore Farms, were distributed by Juicy Fruit LLC. They were sold as fundraisers at Madisonville North Hopkins High School and Hopkins County Central High School.
Person was arrested after police obtained a search warrant for his residence in relation to Trey’s death investigation. During a search of the home, officers found fentanyl and other drugs.
Madisonville Police Department Major Jason McKnight told WFIE.com: “I’m sure everybody’s aware that yesterday we did serve the search warrant and somebody was charged, and yes, fentanyl was found there. But we’re not saying that has anything to do with this (Trey’s death) just yet. As we said in the beginning, strawberries involved? Yes. Is that the main cause? We’re working on it. I can’t tell you that. Is it an allergic reaction to the strawberries? We’re not sure. Could it be a reaction to a pesticide or dye on it? Possibly. There’s a lot of variables here that we’re working on.”
Person is being held in the Hopkins County Detention Center on a $1 million cash bond, along with two $25,000 cash bonds.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
