Dr. Laura Berman says Apple policy prevents access to son’s iPhone after overdose
Relationship therapist and television host Dr. Laura Berman and her husband are unable to access their not too long ago deceased son’s cellphone, and should present Apple with a death certificate earlier than receiving the required approval to accomplish that, in accordance to a report.
Berman, a physician and award-winning radio and tv host, informed NBC for a phase that aired Tuesday that she and her husband, Sam Chapman, have been left with no alternative however to look forward to Apple to permit them to access their 16-year-old son’s iPhone as a result of they don’t have the passcode.
The teen, Samuel “Sammy” Berman Chapman, was pronounced lifeless on Sunday after his mom found him unconscious within the bed room of his Santa Monica, Calif., dwelling shortly earlier than 4:30 p.m. native time, police and experiences mentioned.
In a heartbreaking put up shared on her Instagram, Berman defined how they’ve cause to consider he suffered a drug overdose.
“My beautiful boy is gone. 16 years old. Sheltering at home,” she wrote in a caption paired with {a photograph} of her and Sammy. She later added: “My heart is completely shattered and I am not sure how to keep breathing. I post this now only so that not one more kid dies.”
Berman wrote that she and her husband discovered their son had been messaging with a drug dealer by way of Snapchat and is suspected to have taken medication, probably Xanax or Percocet, that have been laced with one thing extra harmful than he realized, doubtless fentanyl.
“I know he did not know he was taking fentanyl. He was not interested in that; he was scared of it,” she informed Fox News on Tuesday. “He did not actively understand addiction and did not want to be addicted yet, unfortunately, most American teenagers experiment in these fentanyl-laced, supposedly relatively innocent experimental drugs.”
A toxicology report will present extra solutions.
(Photo courtesy of Samuel Chapman)
(Photo courtesy of Samuel Chapman)
But the grieving dad and mom are unable to now search additional on their son’s telephone as a result of an Apple policy prevents the corporate from unlocking his cellphone till a loss of life certificates is supplied, TODAY reported.
An Apple spokesperson didn’t reply to Fox News’ request in search of remark and extra particulars concerning the policy.
Meanwhile, she informed Fox News tech firms and social media platforms want “to help the police get the predators that are killing our children.”
“Snapchat is very clear that they don’t support drug dealing and I’m sure whenever their algorithm finds a page advertising drug dealing they take it down,” she mentioned, “but that doesn’t stop the drug dealer They’re like whack-a-moles. They just pop up with a new account seconds later.”
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MAY 24: Dr Laura Berman arrives on the thirty sixth Annual Gracie Awards Gala on May 24, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)
Berman mentioned the household has not heard from Snapchat however holds the corporate accountable for “catching the one that did it and the ones that are doing it to other children and parents around the country,” she mentioned.
SNAPCHAT RESPONDS AFTER OWN HOST DR. LAURA BERMAN’S SON’S DEATH
“I don’t hold them accountable for his death but I hold them accountable for his justice,” she added.
A Snapchat spokesperson didn’t reply to Fox News’ request in search of touch upon Tuesday, however mentioned in an announcement Monday that the corporate’s “deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of Samuel Berman Chapman and we are heartbroken by his passing.”
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“We are committed to working together with law enforcement in this case and in all instances where Snapchat is used for illegal purposes,” the assertion continued. “We have zero-tolerance for using Snapchat to buy or sell illegal drugs.”
The Santa Monica Police Department informed Fox News on Tuesday the company’s Criminal Investigations Division is conducting a “parallel investigation” with the Los Angeles Coroner’s Office and the investigation is ongoing. The Los Angeles Office of the Drug Enforcement Agency has additionally provided its help, a DEA spokesperson mentioned.
Fox News’ Melissa Roberto and David Aaro contributed to this report.
