March 21, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Teen Dies From Fentanyl Overdose After Contacted by Dealer on Snapchat

Mother says to “please watch your kids” after tragic incident

By Sam Catanzaro

“Please watch your kids,” says the Santa Monica mother of a 16-year-old who recently died from a fentanyl overdose after a drug dealer contacted her son–a straight-A student getting ready for college–via Snapchat.

On Sunday, February 7, a 16-year-old boy died from a fentanyl overdose in his Santa Monica home. According to the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), around 4:24 p.m. officers and paramedics responded to the house on the 1700 block of Yale Street to find the teenager unconscious and not breathing.

“Despite paramedic’s efforts, the minor was pronounced a short time after,” said SMPD Lieutenant Rudy Flores.

Flores noted”a preliminary investigation leads us to believe prescription drug use may have been involved,” a statement confirmed by the boy’s mother.

“My beautiful boy is gone. 16 years old. Sheltering at home. A drug dealer connected with him on Snapchat and gave him fentanyl laced Xanax or Percocet (toxicology will tell) and he overdosed in his room,” said Dr. Laura Berman, mother of 16-year-old Samuel Berman Chapman. “We watched him so closely. Straight A student. Getting ready for college. Experimentation gone bad. He got the drugs delivered to the house.”

Dr. Berman, a leading relationship expert and sex therapist, is advising parents to monitor their childrens’ social media activity to prevent such tragedies.

“They do this because it hooks people even more and is good for business but it causes overdose and the kids don’t know what they are taking. My heart is completely shattered and I am not sure how to keep breathing. I post this now only so that not one more kid dies,” Dr. Berman said. “Please watch your kids and WATCH SNAPCHAT especially. That’s how they get them.”

A Snap Spokesperson, when reached for comment, said the company was “heartbroken” by the passing of the boy and is working with law enforcement.

“Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of Samuel Berman Chapman and we are heartbroken by his passing,” the spokesperson said. “We are committed to working together with law enforcement in this case and in all instances where Snapchat is used for illegal purposes. We have zero-tolerance for using Snapchat to buy or sell illegal drugs. Using Snapchat for illegal purposes is firmly against our community guidelines and we enforce against these violations. We are constantly improving our technological capabilities to detect drug-related activity so that we can intervene proactively.”

When asked if the company, which is based on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, is providing the SMPD with the info surrounding the suspect, the spokesperson said on background that Snap is actively assisting the Santa Monica police department with their investigation to help them track down the perpetrator.

SMPD Lt. Flores, when asked if the department is working with Snap as part of its investigation, said “detectives are in the process of reviewing all the evidence and will obtain the required records by way of a Search Warrant when necessary.”

In the wake of Sam’s death, Dr. Berman has created a Facebook group for any parent who has lost a child to drug addiction or overdose

“I have been inundated with stories heartbreakingly similar to mine and felt this a time we need to come together to support one another,” Dr. Berman said. “Together, we can find the strength and answer to make a change. Let’s combine our voices to make a change.”

More information here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentsunitedagainstdrugadditctiondeath/

in News
Related Posts

SMa.r.t. Column: Going Bare

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

(part 3 of 3 articles) Every City faces periodic interruptions to its normal life. Some interruptions in our City are...

Santa Monica Mall Owner, Macerich, Finds Way Out of Retail Property Crisis

March 19, 2023

March 19, 2023

Move comes amidst a crisis for retail property owners, with loans coming due for refinancing with much higher interest rates...

Historic Santa Monica Property “The Witbeck House” Listed for Sale at $22.5M

March 19, 2023

March 19, 2023

Greene & Greene-designed home features 26,000+ square foot lot with five bedroom home A historic property known as The Witbeck...

New Affordable Housing Complex Completed in Santa Monica’s Pico Neighborhood

March 18, 2023

March 18, 2023

Las Flores offers 73 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments at 1834-1848 14th Street By Sam Catanzaro Community Corp. of Santa...

Are You Staying in Santa Monica Over the Summer?

March 17, 2023

March 17, 2023

Spring is officially here, which means summer is just around the corner. Santa Monica residents, what are your travel plans...

Suspect Arrested in Palisades Park Stabbing of City of Santa Monica Employee

March 17, 2023

March 17, 2023

Barna Allen Cranford arrested in connection to March 15 stabbing By Sam Catanzaro Santa Monica police have identified and arrested...

Negotiations for Independent Malibu School District Progressing

March 17, 2023

March 17, 2023

City of Malibu  and Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Complete draft of key deliverables By Sam Catanzaro Negotiations between Santa...

Santa Monica Residents to Pay More for Concealed Carry License After Supreme Court Ruling and Council Vote

March 17, 2023

March 17, 2023

Santa Monica City Council sets fee for conceal carry permits at $150 By Sam Catanzaro Santa Monica residents will have...

Famed NYC Pizzeria Now Open Just South of Santa Monica Border

March 16, 2023

March 16, 2023

Famed NYC pizzeria Prince Street Pizza now open on Lincoln Boulevard just south Rose Avenue By Dolores Quintana The newest...

Michelin-Starred Santa Monica Restaurant Among Coachella Food Vendors

March 16, 2023

March 16, 2023

Rustic Canyon to be among dining options at upcoming music festival By Dolores Quintana Rustic Canyon Restaurant’s chef Zarah Khan...

World-Renowned Dumpling Restaurant Din Tai Fung to Open New Location at Santa Monica Place

March 15, 2023

March 15, 2023

Din Tai Fung will take a prime, 10,615-square-foot space on third story of mall ​​Din Tai Fung is coming to...

SMC’s Noncredit Certified Nursing Assistant & Home Health Aide Certificates Recognized as 2022 Exemplary Programs by NCCET

March 15, 2023

March 15, 2023

National Council for Continuing Education & Training (NCCET) Highlights Six ‘Model Programs’ Across the Nation, in Addition to Santa Monica...

Comment Period Open to Improve Accessibility at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

March 15, 2023

March 15, 2023

Comment period open until end of the month The National Park Service (NPS) has launched a 30-day public comment period...

National Charity League Westside Chapter Hosts Panel to Empower Women in Education, Medicine, Entrepreneurship and Sports

March 15, 2023

March 15, 2023

March 12 panel featured panelists representing the fields of education, medicine, entrepreneurship, marketing and sports The National Charity League Westside...

The Penmar Hosts the Largest St. Patty’s Party on the Westside

March 14, 2023

March 14, 2023

Shenanigans will begin at 2 p.m. and include the Venice Duck Green Beer Garden, live music and more ​​The largest...