<respectfully snipped>
I don't buy the accidental overdose one bit. I would like to know how much she "accidentally" gave him. If it hadn't been that long since his death, I'm sure there is a way to find out. And who in their right mind gives a child Nyquil??? It is not for children. Nyquil contains acetaminophen so I'm guessing that's what caused death.
The maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen is 4 g in adults and 90 mg/kg in children. Toxicity is associated with a single acute APAP ingestion of 150 mg/kg or approximately 7-10 g in adults. The ingested amount at which toxicity may occur may be lower in the settings of chronic ethanol use, malnourishment, or diminished nutritional status, fasting, or viral illness with dehydration, or if substances or medications that are known to induce the activity of the CYP oxidative enzymes are being used. When dosing recommendations are followed, the risk of hepatotoxicity is extremely small.
I'm quite certain it would take more than a few spoonfuls to OD a child. From everything I've been able to read online, it's stated it would take 3 whole bottles to OD an adult.
You're totally right that it would take a LOT of Tylenol to cause an OD.
Tylenol overdose is usually over time from stressing out your liver... it's incredibly rare to have "immediate" death from acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol). It's usually from using too much for too long and then your liver gets mad at you and quits. It's a slow, painful death to die from Tylenol poisoning.
However, if it *was* Nyquil that was used, in addition to acetaminophen, Nyquil contains doxylamine (which has been reported to cause death if overdosed in young children -- but it would still take a HUGE amount, and it's still a rare substance to cause death), dextromethorphan (which can cause seizures and coma, but rarely death), and more worryingly, 25% (IIRC) alcohol.
IMO, if it was Nyquil, an actual OD would be due to the alcohol content and *maybe* the doxylamine... but in either case, would still take a large amount. Obviously, I don't know Camden's liver function or health history, so that could play a role, but I really feel like this was not an accident. Or mom could have been giving him a lot for a long time (as in, Camden won't sleep, I'm going to give him a bunch of Nyquil every night.) MOO. (I am a pharmacist, but I haven't been WS verified, so take that as you will. I can find links if anyone is interested.)
Also, if you "accidentally" overdose your kid, you take them to the ER or call poison control, or any number of things really. You don't drive them to Maine and leave them in a stranger's driveway. IMHO.