Father and His Two Teenage Sons Remain Paralyzed and Will Likely Never Recover - Months After Being Poisoned by Insect Repellent on $875-a-Night Caribbean Trip
- Esmond family inhaled odourless insect repellent in St John, Virgin Islands
- They fell into seizures, were taken to hospital then airlifted to Philadelphia
- Doctors have now said it is unlikely that any of them will recover further
- Ryan Esmod, 14, is paralyzed from the neck down but conscious
- Sean, 16, is 'in and out of a coma' and has no sensation in his limbs
- Steve, 49, a middle school head teacher, is paralyzed and cannot sit up
- Their mother Theresa, 48, is in 'good condition', has recovered the most
Daily Mail UK, 3 July 2015
A family of four poisoned by pesticide on a vacation in the Virgin Islands four months ago will likely never recover, doctors reveal.
Sean Esmond, 16, his brother Ryan, 14, father Steve, 49, and mother Dr Theresa Devine, 48, were hospitalized with seizures while relaxing in their $875-a-night condo in St John on March 20.
It transpired the Delaware family had inhaled Terminix, which contains an odourless and highly toxic chemical called methyl bromide, sprayed by staff downstairs to deal with indoor bugs.
The insect repellent infected their neurosystems and on Thursday doctors said they do not expect them to recover.
Sean Esmond, 16, (top) is 'in and out of a coma', while his brother Ryan, 14, is paralyzed neck down
Middle school head teacher Steve, 49, is also paralyzed; his wife Theresa, 48, is recovering
Ryan, the youngest, is paralyzed from the neck down with no control of his limbs, though he is aware of what has happened.
His older brother Sean is 'in and out of a coma', has no sensation in his limbs, and cannot move his body.
Their father Steve, head of a private middle school in Wilmington, is paralyzed and 'must be strapped in to even sit'.
The most improvement has been seen in their mother Theresa, a dentist, who was described as being in a 'good condition'.
All four, who were hospitalized four days into their week-long vacation, are being treated in Philadelphia.
At a press conference on Thursday, Virgin Islands governor Kenneth Mapp said their prospects look bleak, adding: 'Doctors do not expect any significant recovery from their present condition.'
Terminix, manufactured by Tennessee-based Terminix International, was banned for residential use in 1984.
According to the agency, the spray is not allowed to be used inside due to its 'acute toxicity', and can only be used by 'trained applicators'.
An initial review found the Sinuresa resort sprayed Terminix in the lobby to deal with 'indoor bugs'.
Local officials have since issued 'stop use' notices to three manufacturers in the area, and Jose Rivera, local manager of Terminix International, has had his license revoked.
All four were hospitalized with seizures in their $875-a-night condo in St John (pictured) on March 20
However, the firm will retain its license unless an inquiry into the incident and the pesticide shows the firm was directly at fault, according to the island's Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
Gov. Mapp insists the inquiry is 'almost complete'
He added: 'The government of the Virgin Islands will seek full and unfettered recompense for its expenditures dealing with this issue.
'What Terminix International did is not a simple mistake. It's clearly an act to advance its profit motives by using substances that it knew, or should have known, were banned some 30 years ago.'
The family has yet to seek compensation or take legal action against the firm.
James Maron, the family's lawyer, said when paramedics arrived at the villa, Stephen Esmond was found unconscious. His sons and wife were having seizures.
The US Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation into the matter
'The family is confident that those responsible will be brought to justice,' the Esmonds' statement said.
Family Poisoned by Insect Repellent>Paralyzed>Will Never Recover
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