Teen Dies In Hotel While In DHS's Care

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — The death of a 16-year-old girl in DHS custody has been ruled a suicide by diphenhydramine intoxication, according to the Medical Examiner's Office.

Diphenhydramine intoxication is defined as a medical emergency caused by an overdose of the common over-the-counter antihistamine. Diphenhydramine is an active ingredient in medications that treat allergy symptoms, which can sometimes cause drowsiness.

Kanaiyah Ward, who was from Prince George's County, was found dead at the Residence Inn by Marriott in the 800 block of North Wolfe Street of Baltimore while in the state's custody on Sept. 22. A DHS official told WBAL in September that Ward was staying at the hotel temporarily while in DHS custody.

Officials has initially listed Ward's death as questionable. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore confirmed this week that an investigation is underway into Ward's death.

"We join the community in grieving this heartbreaking tragedy. The well-being of Maryland's children is our top priority, and we will not rest until every child in our state is safe, thriving in a permanent home and surrounded by loving family," Moore said in a statement. "Any child in a hotel is one too many, and unacceptable. We are committed to ending hotel stays in Maryland."

DHS stated that it's committed to ending hotel stays for foster kids in Maryland.

"Any child in a hotel is one too many, and unacceptable," the department said in a statement. "We are willing to work with child welfare stakeholders and advocates to implement solutions to ensure no Maryland child experiences a hotel stay."

Maryland Delegate Mike Griffith has since unveiled plans to introduce legislation that would address issues with the state's foster care system, according to WAMR. The Never Again Act of 2026 - Kanaiyah’s Law would prohibit placing foster children in hotels for more than a week without review and authorization from the Secretary of the Department of Human Services. Griffith's proposed legislation would also require training, licensing and criminal background checks for one-on-one providers.

Griffith said in a statement that he was in Maryland's foster care system from age 12 through 18.

“Too often, foster children are treated like second-class citizens, as if they don’t matter. Where is the outrage in the community or in the Administration?" he said. "If I had left my child alone in a hotel room and they died of an overdose, I would be arrested. If Kanaiyah had died in police custody, there would be protests and press conferences. She deserves more from a state that completely failed her.”