Parents Arrested After Child Overdosed on Fentanyl at School

A Florida middle school student was hospitalized after she reportedly overdosed on fentanyl during class, leading to the arrest of her parents on child neglect charges.

According to court documents, the girl allegedly brought a small bottle containing a white powder from her home and used it in a school bathroom shortly before first period. She later went to class but began to feel unwell and eventually became unresponsive at her desk. Another student reportedly alerted school staff, prompting the school nurse to respond.

The nurse allegedly found the child on the classroom floor with a weak pulse and began CPR with assistance from another staff member. Deputies with the authorities arrived and reportedly administered Narcan, which produced a positive response. Paramedics then transported the student to a hospital for further treatment.

Investigators later searched the student’s backpack and reportedly found a bottle labeled in a way that suggested it contained fentanyl. The substance inside allegedly tested positive for the drug.

During the investigation, the child told the authorities she had seen her father use narcotics and had become curious. She reportedly said she took the bottle from a shared bathroom at home, intending to give it to her mother, but instead brought it to school and tried a small amount.

The authorities said narcotics were allegedly left within reach of children in the home regularly. The father reportedly admitted he had knowingly left the substance accessible.

The mother allegedly told investigators she was aware of suspected drug use in the home and had previously found and discarded substances, but reportedly did not take steps to remove them permanently.

Both parents were later taken into custody and charged with multiple counts of child neglect, including one count involving great bodily harm. The child is expected to recover.

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