A woman in Central Florida is accused of trying to induce a prescription pill overdose in her disabled great-granddaughter as part of a murder-suicide attempt.
The family of Deborah Collier, 69, on Monday reported finding a suicide note in her home in Deland, about 41 miles north of Orlando. Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputies went to look for her and found her during a traffic stop.
Ms. Collier’s 13-year-old great-granddaughter was unconscious in the passenger seat, the sheriff’s office said. Deputies said the girl was breathing but had white pill residue on her and was unresponsive.
The sheriff’s office said that a note found in Ms. Collier’s purse said the great-grandmother was killing herself and the teenager to alleviate the stress that the situation has brought to the family.
The teen requires 24-hour care due to her disabilities, which the sheriff’s office did not specify, and Ms. Collier and her husband have been her sole guardians since her birth. Ms. Collier was opposed to putting the teen in an assisted care facility and believed no one could care for the girl like family.
The girl was taken to a hospital for treatment, and Ms. Collier was taken into custody and charged with attempted first-degree murder. She is being held without bond.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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