Special needs teen dies after paramedic accused of giving medication to ‘shut him up’

Greenville County Coroner’s Office reports the investigation into a special needs teen’s death details allegations that a paramedic acknowledged giving the 16-year-old a double dose of medication to “shut him up.”

 The teen has been identified as 16-year-old Skyler Blizzard.  Blizzard lived at Springbrook Behavioral Health, a living facility in Travelers Rest for individuals with autism.

The situation began on April 28, 2023,  Blizzard was taken to the ER where he was treated for pneumonia at Greenville Memorial Hospital and discharged back to Springbrook with medication that same day, according to the report.

Paramedics were called again on April 29 because Blizzard was having difficulty breathing.  Blizzard reportedly went into cardiac arrest en route to the hospital where he passed away shortly after.

After a relative of the paramedic accused of administering a lethal dose of medication contacted Greenville County EMS they began investigating the paramedics who took Blizzard to the hospital.  According to the family member, the paramedic admitted to giving Blizzard 10mg of Versed,  to “shut him up.”

The standard dosage of Versed is 5mg.

Coroner Office officials interviewed another person involved in the investigation, and he reportedly informed them that the paramedic in question “knew his relative had told them he killed that kid” and “that wasn’t true.”