A Southwest Florida couple faces multiple felony child neglect charges following a harrowing incident where a 12-year-old student overdosed on fentanyl in a classroom after discovering the lethal synthetic opioid on her bathroom sink at home.
Joshua Lee Sanders, 40, of Punta Gorda, and Courtney Marie Delaney, 34, of Englewood, were arrested Tuesday, March 10, by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. The arrests followed a near-fatal emergency at L.A. Ainger Middle School that has reignited urgent warnings regarding the accessibility of narcotics in households with children.
Emergency Response at L.A. Ainger Middle School
The crisis began at approximately 9:20 a.m. when deputies responded to reports of a student who had stopped breathing. Upon arrival, authorities found the school nurse performing CPR on the unconscious teenager.
Recognizing the signs of an opioid overdose, a responding deputy administered a single dose of Narcan (naloxone). The intervention was successful, and the student regained consciousness before being rushed to a local hospital for emergency treatment.
“This could have ended very, very differently if not for the fast actions taken by the school nurse and other staff, as well as my deputies,” said Sheriff Bill Prummell in an official statement. “It is inexcusable and unforgivable that this child was able to access this poison so easily.”
The Investigation: ‘FENT’ Label and Domestic Disputes
Investigators quickly traced the source of the drug back to the victim’s residence. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the teenager found a small container—an essential oils bottle explicitly labeled “FENT”—on the bathroom sink earlier that morning. She placed the bottle in her backpack and carried it to school.
Detailed investigative findings revealed:
- Ingestion at School: Once on campus, the student reportedly entered a bathroom stall and placed a small amount of the powder on her tongue. Some reports suggest she may have also snorted the substance off a toilet paper holder.
- Immediate Physical Collapse: The effects were nearly instantaneous. The student managed to return to her classroom but collapsed into unconsciousness almost immediately.
- Known Hazard: Detectives learned that Sanders and Delaney had engaged in “numerous” arguments regarding the presence of fentanyl in the home prior to the incident, suggesting a documented awareness of the danger.
Legal Consequences and Public Safety
Both Sanders and Delaney have been charged with:
- Child Neglect Resulting in Great Bodily Harm (one count each)
- Child Neglect Without Great Bodily Harm (two counts each), relating to other children residing in the home.
Court records indicate that Joshua Lee Sanders’ bond is set at $450,000, and he remains in custody at the Charlotte County Jail. Courtney Delaney was released on March 12 after posting a $25,000 bond.
While the exact relationship between the caregivers and the victim remains under investigation, family members have confirmed the 12-year-old is expected to make a full recovery and is currently being monitored at a behavioral health center.
