FOUR CHILDREN, ONE CHILLING TOXICOLOGY FINDING — NEW DETAILS EMERGE IN THE MECHANICVILLE FAMILY TRAGEDY

A disturbing new toxicology finding has shed fresh light on the deaths of four children in upstate New York.

Harper Harmon, 13, Hudson Harmon, 11, and 10-year-old twins Gavin and Gracelynn Harmon were found to have kratom and diphenhydramine — the active ingredient in medications such as Benadryl — in their systems, according to sources cited by NewsChannel 13.

The discovery adds another grim layer to the June tragedy in Mechanicville, where the four siblings were found dead alongside their mother, Sarah Myers, 44, and grandmother, Amy Steadman, 64.

Authorities have said Myers and Steadman were responsible for the children’s deaths before the two women died by suicide.

THE TOXICOLOGY FINDING

According to the newly reported results, all four children had both substances in their blood.

Kratom is a psychoactive herbal substance that can produce opioid-like effects. Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine commonly found in allergy medications.

Authorities had previously said Myers and Steadman planned to poison the children.

Investigators reportedly believe the alleged plan began on June 10, while the family was inside Steadman’s apartment.

WHEN THE PLAN ALLEGEDLY FAILED

Police have previously said the women intended to poison the children between roughly 10:30 a.m. and noon.

But investigators allege the substances did not produce the outcome the women expected.

One of the women reportedly sent a message saying:

“It’s not working, we need another option.”

Investigators also recovered searches from Steadman’s phone that allegedly concerned medication reactions and ways a person could be fatally injured.

Among the searches were questions about what insulin could do to someone without diabetes and searches related to fatal stabbing injuries, according to investigators.

GAVIN APPEARS TO HAVE SURVIVED THE INITIAL ATTEMPT

Authorities have said the poisoning did not immediately end the lives of all four children.

Gavin Harmon, 10, was later stabbed.

Investigators said he had defensive wounds, suggesting he may have attempted to protect himself.

His twin sister, Gracelynn, also allegedly became aware of what was happening.

According to investigators, she sent a desperate message:

“Why would you do that? You both won’t let me puke.”

Steadman allegedly later messaged Myers:

“Gracie is aware.”

The messages have become some of the most disturbing pieces of evidence described publicly in the case.

A CUSTODY BATTLE WAS UNFOLDING

The tragedy occurred amid a bitter custody dispute between Myers and her former husband, Brady Harmon.

Harmon lived in Utah and had reportedly not seen his children in person since 2019. He was preparing to spend an extended period with them when the children died.

After the killings, authorities recovered a handwritten letter in which Myers allegedly accused Harmon of abusing her and the children.

She reportedly claimed the children had been harmed to protect them from their father.

Harmon has denied the allegations.

Police have said they found no evidence supporting the abuse claims, and Harmon has never been charged in connection with them.

Harmon has since spoken publicly about the loss of his children, describing the events as an unimaginable betrayal of four children who were supposed to be protected by the adults around them.

THE CHILDREN WERE NOT FOUND FOR NEARLY TWO WEEKS

Investigators believe the children died on June 10.

But their bodies were not discovered until June 23, when police went to Steadman’s apartment for a welfare check.

Myers and Steadman were also found dead inside the apartment.

The newly reported toxicology findings now provide investigators with another critical piece of the timeline — showing that the four children had been exposed to both kratom and diphenhydramine before their deaths.

Authorities are expected to release additional information about the toxicology findings.

For the children’s father, however, the central tragedy remains unchanged: four children lost their lives in a case that unfolded amid a bitter family dispute and an alleged plan that investigators say was carried out by the very people who were supposed to protect them.