CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A routine school day turned into a life-threatening emergency after a Florida middle school student collapsed from a suspected fentanyl overdose, resulting in child neglect accusations against the student’s two caregivers.
It is inexcusable and unforgivable that this child was able to access this poison so easily, and that’s why these arrests were made. I thank God that we were able to intervene before something even worse happened,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said that on Tuesday morning, emergency responders were called to LA Ainger Middle School due to a student who was not breathing.
Upon arrival, deputies reported finding the child unresponsive, and the school nurse was performing CPR.
The Sheriff’s Office said that given their training, the deputies suspected an overdose and administered Narcan, which helped the student regain consciousness. The child was later transported to a local hospital by Charlotte County Fire & EMS for further medical attention.
An investigation by the Sheriff’s Office’s Narcotics Unit revealed that the student had allegedly come into contact with fentanyl.
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Officials reported that 40-year-old caregiver Joshua Lee Sanders had a small container of fentanyl in their home, which the child had unknowingly brought to school.
According to the report, the child had found the container on the bathroom sink and placed it in her backpack before heading to school.
Inside the classroom restroom, the student allegedly sampled the substance, leading to immediate adverse effects, and she quickly lost consciousness.
Officials said that 34-year-old Courtney Delaney, another caregiver, and Sanders had previously argued about the drug being in the house prior to the incident.
Both Sanders and Delaney were arrested on multiple charges of child neglect, which include one count of bodily harm and two counts without bodily harm. The Sheriff’s Office said that this action was taken due to the presence of other children in the home as well.
Sanders’ bond is set at $450,000, while Delaney’s bond is set at $25,000.