SEDGWICK COUNTY — A mother and her son accused in the drug overdose death of a 15-year-old Kansas girl are due back in court Tuesday.
Danielle Wheeler, 53 and Isaac L. Hord, 24, both of Wichita, are scheduled for an arraignment hearing in Judge Jeffrey Syrios courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
Wheeler was charged with involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment in the death of 15-year-old Kennedy Herren, according to the DA's office. Hord and 24-year-old Niklas Wiley were charged with first-degree murder and aggravated endangering a child. On Friday, Wiley was sentenced to 330 months in prison in the case.
In June, Wiley pleaded guilty to distribution of a controlled substance causing death and aggravated child endangerment. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dropped a first-degree murder charge.
On September 14, 2025, police responded to the report of a deceased 15-year-old in Wichita, according to a media release from police. The investigation determined the death of Kennedy Herren was the result of a drug overdose. An autopsy determined Herren died as a result of an overdose of cocaine, oxycodone, fentanyl and bromazolam, according to court records.
Since then, Wichita police overdose analyst worked to pursue justice and ensure accountability for the people responsible for this senseless death.
On October 15, 2025, K-9 officers arrested 24-year-old Isaac L. Hord and on October 19 they arrested 24-year-old Niklas Wiley in connection with this case. Wheeler was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on October 22, according to online jail records. She met the requirement for bond and is no longer in custody.
Wiley, Herren and Hord were drinking and doing drugs at the home where Hord lived with his mother, Danielle Wheeler. An affidavit by a Wichita Police Department detective says Wiley acknowledged that it was a dangerous place to bring a 15-year-old girl.