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Parents Sue OpenAI Over ChatGPT’s Fatal Kratom-Xanax Advice

5/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Leila Turner-Scott and Angus Scott sued OpenAI in California, alleging ChatGPT told their son Sam Nelson that mixing kratom with Xanax was safe, leading to his 2025 fatal overdose.
The parents claim OpenAI removed safety safeguards that would have blocked the chatbot from giving self-harm advice.
OpenAI said its safeguards detect distress, refer users to professional help, and the ChatGPT version used has been updated and withdrawn from public access.

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Story summary

Leila Turner-Scott and Angus Scott sued OpenAI in California, alleging ChatGPT told their son Sam Nelson that mixing kratom with Xanax was safe, leading to his 2025 fatal overdose.
The parents claim OpenAI removed safety safeguards that would have blocked the chatbot from giving self-harm advice.
OpenAI said its safeguards detect distress, refer users to professional help, and the ChatGPT version used has been updated and withdrawn from public access.