Police say two girls, ages 12 and 13, took dozens of pills at a Bowling Green apartment after seeing a trend online.
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Two middle schoolers were hospitalized after overdosing on Benadryl during a sleepover that authorities say was tied to an online “challenge,” according to a mother who spoke with local reporters and a police account of the response.
The incident has renewed warnings from local health officials about risky social media stunts that resurface without notice. The girls, ages 12 and 13, were found Monday at Gypsy Lane Estates and later released from a hospital. Wood County behavioral health leaders said the so-called Benadryl Challenge—encouraging large doses to trigger hallucinations—can be fatal and has been linked to teen deaths since it emerged several years ago. Police documented what happened and noted images on a phone that appeared to show a hand holding a large number of pills moments before the overdose.
According to the mother, who asked not to be named to protect her child’s privacy, she checked on the girls in the morning and immediately noticed something was wrong. “She was grabbing at things that weren’t there. She was seeing things, she was hallucinating,” the mother said. She called 911 when her daughter began speaking in gibberish, grew weak and struggled to stand. Bowling Green police and medics arrived at the apartment complex and transported both teens to a hospital. The mother said she later found a 48-count package of Benadryl in the trash. She believes the pills were purchased the day before at a nearby store.
A police report notes a medic saw one of the teens deleting photos that appeared to show more than 20 pills in a hand. The mother told reporters her daughter took 28 tablets and her friend took 20. For those 12 and older, the product label lists one tablet every four hours as the typical dose. Leaders with the Wood County Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Services Board said the trend’s alleged goal—hallucinations—masks the risks of rapid heart rate, seizures and other complications tied to diphenhydramine, the drug’s active ingredient. “It’s really, really important that parents continue to talk to their kids about the dangers of taking on any of these challenges,” said Aimee Coe, the board’s director of clinical and prevention programs.
The challenge was first widely reported in 2023 and has resurfaced in cycles, local officials said, underscoring how older content can spread to new audiences. Nationally, at least two teen deaths have been linked to similar overdoses since that time, according to prior news accounts and agency statements. In Bowling Green, police described this week’s call as one of several youth-related incidents they field each year that involve online dares or trends, ranging from vandalism to risky substance misuse. While over-the-counter medications are legal to buy, doses far above directed amounts can lead to dangerous toxicity, emergency physicians say.
Police said their initial response focused on stabilizing the teens and documenting potential evidence, including packaging and any digital traces that could clarify intent and timing. Any further action would depend on medical records, statements and whether evidence suggests criminal conduct beyond the self-harm involved. As of midweek, no charges had been announced in the case. Wood County behavioral health officials said they would offer support to the family through prevention staff and school partners. No formal public briefing had been scheduled by police as of Thursday, but officials said they would respond to records requests and provide updates if the case status changes.
Neighbors at Gypsy Lane Estates described a flurry of lights as medics arrived. One resident said the call came “just after sunrise” and that responders moved quickly to carry both teens out. The mother said she had never heard of the challenge before this week and felt blindsided. “I don’t want any other parent to go through this,” she said. Coe emphasized that families often learn about trends only after a scare. “Locking your medications up, whether it’s over-the-counter medications or prescriptions, disposing of medications safely,” Coe said, adding that prevention teams would be in contact with area schools.
Both teens were treated and released, according to the mother. Police said the incident report will be finalized and available through public records. Officials did not immediately provide a timeline for any additional findings. The next expected step is an internal review of the call and, if requested, a summary for school partners early next week.
Author note: Last updated January 25, 2026.