Texas Father Convicted of Manslaughter After Baby’s Benadryl Overdose

In August 2025, a Lubbock County jury delivered a guilty verdict in a heartbreaking case that stunned a Texas community. Thirty-three-year-old Adam Canales Jr. was convicted of manslaughter for the 2021 death of his infant daughter, Athena Brigida-Kay Canales, who was just two months old when she passed away.

The trial revealed that Canales had been administering Benadryl—an over-the-counter antihistamine known for its drowsiness effects—to Athena as part of a routine meant to give him and his wife, Sarah Canales, time to themselves. Prosecutors argued that Adam treated the sedative as a babysitting shortcut, with tragic results.

The Fatal Discovery

On the day of her death, emergency responders were called to the Canales home after Athena was found unresponsive. Despite medical efforts, she could not be revived. An autopsy determined that the infant died from mixed drug toxicity, with diphenhydramine—the active ingredient in Benadryl—present at dangerous levels for someone so young.

Investigators also found evidence of other medications in the home, including dextromethorphan and NyQuil. The prosecution highlighted that both parents had admitted to giving the baby medication at different times, apparently without realizing they were duplicating doses.

The Case in Court

During trial, District Attorney Sunshine Stanek told the jury that this was not a one-time mistake but rather a habitual practice. Adam, she said, repeatedly relied on Benadryl to quiet his baby so that he and his wife could have “alone time.”

Sarah also faced charges, as prosecutors argued that both parents bore responsibility for the unsafe caregiving practice.

The defense attempted to portray the tragedy as a case of overwhelmed parents who made a misjudgment rather than deliberate harm. However, the jury ultimately sided with the prosecution, finding Adam guilty of manslaughter.

Both parents now face sentencing, with penalties of up to 20 years in prison.

Warnings Against Benadryl in Infants

Medical professionals have long warned against giving Benadryl to children under the age of two unless explicitly prescribed by a doctor. The sedative effect that makes it popular among adults can be dangerously unpredictable in infants, leading to seizures, irregular heartbeat, or death. The Food and Drug Administration has issued multiple warnings, urging parents to use only physician-approved methods for soothing babies.

A Cautionary Tale for Parents

Beyond the courtroom, this case has sparked debate about parenting pressures and the lack of education surrounding medication misuse. Many parents—especially first-time caregivers—may underestimate the potency of over-the-counter drugs.

Experts emphasize that alternatives like swaddling, white noise, or supervised rest should always be prioritized over chemical sedation.

This conviction serves as both a punishment and a grim warning. What Adam Canales thought was a quick fix has instead left his family shattered and his young daughter gone forever.

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