An Australian family is imploring parents to ensure their children understand the potentially deadly consequences of viral trends. Esra Haynes, 13, was at a sleepover in March when she and some friends allegedly decided to try "chroming" with a can of deodorant. Esra seemingly wanted to get a quick high from the can, but the fumes proved too much for the teen, and she went into cardiac arrest.
She was taken by ambulance to a Melbourne hospital and placed on life support. Sadly, Esra never recovered — she died eight days later. Her parents have made it a personal crusade to inform teenagers and their parents about the dangers of chroming.
More from CafeMom: Couple Accused of Blowing Cocaine Smoke in Young Kids' Faces After Positive Drug Test
Her parents thought she would come home.
Andrea and Paul Haynes sent their daughter off to a slumber party, expecting her to come home healthy. They never anticipated the evening to end in tragedy. Even when Esra was taken to the hospital, her parents remained optimistic she would recover.
"We thought we would bring her home," Andrea Haynes told the Herald Sun. A scan of Esra's brain, however, showed significant damage.
Esra was on life support.
Andrea and Paul Haynes lay in bed with their daughter until it was time for the unthinkable. The grieving mom and dad decided to take their daughter off life support and contacted loved ones to come to the hospital to say their final goodbye, the Herald Sun reported.
It is an agony that no parent should ever have to go through.
'We cuddled her until the end,' her grieving dad said.
The parents are making it their mission to educate families about the dangers of chroming and other viral trends. Paul Haynes wants parents to understand teens are impressionable and it's the adults who are responsible for keeping their kids safe.
"It's unquestionable that this will be our crusade. No matter how much you lead a horse to water, anyone can drag them away," he said via the Herald Sun. "It's not something she would have done on her own."
Everyone adored Esra.
She was a talented athlete who will be missed by many. Her friends wrote tributes to the much-loved teen, the Herald Sun reported.
"There wasn't one day in the past three years you've not made my day by your contagious laugh and gorgeous smile. My heart aches and it doesn't feel real knowing I'll have to say goodbye to you Esra," one friend said. "You're so young. You were gone too soon."
"I'll stay trying to make you proud. and continue doing the things that made you happy," another person wrote. "I endlessly love and miss you Esra. Rest In Paradise my love."
The Victorian Department of Education released the following statement, according to the Daily Mail:
"Lilydale High School and the Department of Education extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of a Year 8 student who died over the weekend. Our hearts go out to the families, community and school that have been impacted by this tragic incident and the school will continue to provide support as required for all affected."
More from CafeMom: 13-Year-Old Dies of Overdose Attempting the TikTok Benadryl Challenge; Parents Warn Others
Chroming has been around for a long time.
Chroming, or inhalant abuse, can be common among younger people because they can do it inexpensively and quickly with things found around the house. A person can get a high from sniffing highly concentrated chemicals from aerosol cans, such as deodorant or whipped cream. Inhalants, such as paint or paint thinner, can be put onto a cloth and inhaled directly through the nose or mouth. Although it may seem less serious than other drugs, it can be just as deadly.
"Sniffing highly concentrated amounts of the chemicals in solvents or aerosol sprays can cause heart irregularities and death. High concentrations of inhalants also can cause death from suffocation," the University of Rochester Medical Center notes. "This happens because inhaling concentrated chemicals prevents you from breathing in any oxygen. If the lungs and brain are without oxygen for a long enough time, you will suffocate and die. This can happen with huffing and bagging."
