Oklahoma Teen Left Brain Dead After Attempting a Dangerous Social Media Challenge She Hoped Would Make Her ‘TikTok Famous’
A 15-year-old girl from Enid, Oklahoma has been left brain dead after taking part in a dangerous viral social media challenge that involved misusing an over-the-counter allergy medication to chase a high. Her devastated father is now speaking out, hoping her story can prevent another family from going through the same nightmare.
A Teen Who Just Wanted to Be Famous Online
Leah Presson was described by those who loved her as someone who “always wanted to be TikTok famous.” According to her father, Richard Presson, Leah attempted the same risky online trend on more than one occasion before this final attempt left her fighting for her life in intensive care.
“Leah is a very great person and she always wanted to be TikTok famous,” Richard told reporters. “It hurts to see that my daughter is now laying lifeless because of some challenge that couldn’t be stopped.”
How the Medical Emergency Unfolded
Leah suffered seizures and was rushed to the hospital. At first, her parents believed it might be connected to her history of asthma, but the symptoms ultimately pointed to something far more serious.
According to Dr. Ryan Brown, doctors are well aware of this particular trend and consider it incredibly dangerous. He explained that taking the medication involved in excessive amounts can lead to seizures and dangerous heart rhythm problems, which can in turn lead to cardiac arrest, cutting off blood flow to the brain.
After days in intensive care, multiple tests confirmed Leah was brain dead.
A Pattern of Dangerous Trends Among Teens
This is far from an isolated incident. Dangerous online challenges have claimed the lives of several teens and children in recent years, with families increasingly speaking out about the risks. Past trends have included challenges encouraging users to choke themselves to the point of losing consciousness, and another disturbing trend that left kids with head injuries after being tripped during recorded stunts.
Doctors continue to urge parents to stay alert and have open conversations with their children about the dangers of attempting trends they see online, regardless of how harmless they may initially appear.
A Father’s Heartbreaking Goodbye
Richard shared an emotional video of Leah lying in her hospital bed surrounded by loved ones who prayed, held her hand, and sang to her. He described his daughter as the most giving person in the world, with a laugh that was truly contagious.
After Leah was pronounced brain dead, Richard said he was “still waiting on a miracle even though some have given up,” but ultimately made the decision to donate her organs, saying it was exactly the kind of thing Leah would have wanted.
“She loved Grey’s Anatomy and is able to possibly save up to 90 lives with her little body,” he wrote. “They have 72 hours before they harvest her organs and there will be an honor walk for her, where everyone lines the hallways and honors her.”
A Warning to Other Parents
Richard’s message to other families is simple and direct.
“I just want everybody to be aware of where they can educate their kids,” he said. “But these challenges are just silly, and they need to be educated so it doesn’t happen again.”
Dr. Brown echoed that warning, urging parents to pay close attention if their child begins acting strangely.
“If your child is acting strange, look around,” he said. “Make sure that there’s not an empty pill bottle or something in the vicinity that may lead you to a clue as to what may have been going on.”
TikTok’s Response
In a statement, TikTok said: “This content pre-dates TikTok as a platform and is available across other online and social platforms. This is a wider social media and online safety issue, not solely a TikTok issue.”
This story touches on substance misuse among teens and a medical emergency that resulted in brain death. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or engaging in dangerous behavior for attention or escape, please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, available 24/7.
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