Overview

• Police closed their investigation after the medical examiner determined the death was a suicide caused by diphenhydramine intoxication.
• Kanaiyah Ward, 16, was in Maryland DHS custody and living at the Residence Inn on North Wolfe Street with a contracted one-on-one caregiver.
• DHS said it has paused work with Fenwick Behavioral Services, the vendor assigned to her care, while it reviews the placement.
• A recent legislative audit found DHS failed to properly vet vendors and reported 280 foster youth housed in hotels under unlicensed supervision in 2023–24.
• Full toxicology and autopsy documentation remain pending and could take months as DHS conducts a separate review of contractor adherence to standards.