Stepdad sentenced for death of boy whose ‘allergic reaction to strawberries’ was actually a fentanyl overdose

HOPKINS CO., Ky. (WFIE/Gray News) – A stepfather in Kentucky will now spend 25 years in prison for the death of an 8-year-old boy who died after what officials initially believed was an allergic reaction to strawberries.

The death of 8-year-old Trey Harris in March 2024 made national headlines and prompted officials to declare a warning about strawberries sold at a school fundraiser.

Initially, health officials worried there was something wrong with the strawberries that could have led to Trey’s death, but then officials believed Trey had an allergic reaction to them.

However, Trey’s stepfather, Antonio Person, was arrested two weeks after the boy’s death as police continued to investigate what happened. Police said they found drugs and a gun during a search of the home.

About a month after the death, officials determined the strawberries were not the cause and fentanyl killed Trey.

The Hopkins County coroner confirmed Trey died from a fentanyl overdose.

That toxicology report led to a manslaughter charge for Person, who police said was already facing drug trafficking charges for a large amount of fentanyl found in his home during the investigation.

Person was sentenced this week to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree manslaughter, aggravated first-degree trafficking of fentanyl, felon in possession of a handgun, possession of marijuana, and five counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

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