Topline: Deputies say the student took fentanyl left on a bathroom sink at home, brought it to school, and collapsed after ingesting it.
Published: March 18, 2026 8:21 am ET
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Joshua Sanders, left, and Courtney Delaney (via Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office)
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FL — A middle school student in southwest Florida narrowly survived a fentanyl overdose after bringing the drug from home to campus, an incident that authorities say has now led to the arrest of both of her caregivers on child neglect charges.
According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to L.A. Ainger Middle School shortly after 9:19 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, for a report of an unresponsive student. When they arrived, they found the child on the floor as the school nurse performed CPR. Based on their training and experience, deputies suspected an overdose and administered Narcan, which produced an immediate positive response. Charlotte County Fire & EMS then transported the student to a local hospital for further treatment.
Investigators later confirmed the substance involved was fentanyl and began working to determine how the child had come into contact with it. According to the sheriff’s office, detectives learned the student had accessed a small container of fentanyl kept inside her home by caregiver Joshua Lee Sanders, 40, and brought it to school in her backpack.
An arrest report cited by Gulf Coast News Now states the fentanyl was stored in an essential oils bottle labeled “FENT.” The student took the container into a school bathroom, where she ingested a small amount. The effects were nearly immediate, and she collapsed shortly after returning toward class.
The student later told authorities she had previously seen her father using narcotics and had become curious, according to the affidavit. She said she began to feel “funny” after consuming the substance and only remembered waking up in an ambulance, WWSB reported.
Detectives say the child found the container on a bathroom sink at home before placing it in her backpack. According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, caregivers Sanders and Courtney Delaney, 34, had argued multiple times about the presence of fentanyl in the house prior to the incident.
Delaney told deputies she had confronted Sanders about missing fentanyl the day before the overdose and kicked him out of the bedroom following the argument, according to Gulf Coast News Now. She also acknowledged knowing Sanders used fentanyl and said she had previously found suspected narcotics in the home and disposed of them. Despite that, investigators said she allowed him to continue staying at the residence, even after he signed an agreement days earlier stating he would no longer be on the lease.
When questioned, Sanders admitted to leaving the bottle in the bathroom near the sink, according to authorities.
A search of the school bathroom where the incident occurred revealed traces of fentanyl on a toilet paper holder, and deputies recovered the bottle from the student’s backpack, investigators said.
“First and most importantly, I am glad to hear that the student will make a full recovery. 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,” Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said. “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.”
Charlotte County Public Schools emphasized that drug use on campus is strictly prohibited but noted the rapid response by staff helped save the student’s life.
“Drug possession or use on campus is strictly prohibited and has no place in our schools. But in this case, because the student was at school and surrounded by trained adults who acted immediately, a life was saved,” the district said in a statement. “She is with us today because of the systems we have in place.”
Community members expressed both shock and concern following the incident. “It’s just sad,” grandparent Bob Koetzle told Gulf Coast News Now after learning of the arrests. Neighbor Marc Killam added, “I hope they are held accountable, but also they get help. Drugs are a horrible thing.”
Sanders and Delaney were each charged with one count of child neglect with great bodily harm and two counts of child neglect without great bodily harm. According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Sanders’ bond was set at $450,000, while Delaney’s bond was set at $25,000.
The student is expected to make a full recovery, authorities said.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Police: Child Finds Fentanyl on Bathroom Sink, Brings It to School and Overdoses
Deputies say the student took fentanyl left on a bathroom sink at home, brought it to school, and collapsed after ingesting it.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 18, 2026 8:21 am ET
Joshua Sanders, left, and Courtney Delaney (via Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office)
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FL — A middle school student in southwest Florida narrowly survived a fentanyl overdose after bringing the drug from home to campus, an incident that authorities say has now led to the arrest of both of her caregivers on child neglect charges.
According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to L.A. Ainger Middle School shortly after 9:19 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, for a report of an unresponsive student. When they arrived, they found the child on the floor as the school nurse performed CPR. Based on their training and experience, deputies suspected an overdose and administered Narcan, which produced an immediate positive response. Charlotte County Fire & EMS then transported the student to a local hospital for further treatment.
Investigators later confirmed the substance involved was fentanyl and began working to determine how the child had come into contact with it. According to the sheriff’s office, detectives learned the student had accessed a small container of fentanyl kept inside her home by caregiver Joshua Lee Sanders, 40, and brought it to school in her backpack.
An arrest report cited by Gulf Coast News Now states the fentanyl was stored in an essential oils bottle labeled “FENT.” The student took the container into a school bathroom, where she ingested a small amount. The effects were nearly immediate, and she collapsed shortly after returning toward class.
The student later told authorities she had previously seen her father using narcotics and had become curious, according to the affidavit. She said she began to feel “funny” after consuming the substance and only remembered waking up in an ambulance, WWSB reported.
Detectives say the child found the container on a bathroom sink at home before placing it in her backpack. According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, caregivers Sanders and Courtney Delaney, 34, had argued multiple times about the presence of fentanyl in the house prior to the incident.
Delaney told deputies she had confronted Sanders about missing fentanyl the day before the overdose and kicked him out of the bedroom following the argument, according to Gulf Coast News Now. She also acknowledged knowing Sanders used fentanyl and said she had previously found suspected narcotics in the home and disposed of them. Despite that, investigators said she allowed him to continue staying at the residence, even after he signed an agreement days earlier stating he would no longer be on the lease.
When questioned, Sanders admitted to leaving the bottle in the bathroom near the sink, according to authorities.
A search of the school bathroom where the incident occurred revealed traces of fentanyl on a toilet paper holder, and deputies recovered the bottle from the student’s backpack, investigators said.
“First and most importantly, I am glad to hear that the student will make a full recovery. 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,” Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said. “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.”
Charlotte County Public Schools emphasized that drug use on campus is strictly prohibited but noted the rapid response by staff helped save the student’s life.
“Drug possession or use on campus is strictly prohibited and has no place in our schools. But in this case, because the student was at school and surrounded by trained adults who acted immediately, a life was saved,” the district said in a statement. “She is with us today because of the systems we have in place.”
Community members expressed both shock and concern following the incident. “It’s just sad,” grandparent Bob Koetzle told Gulf Coast News Now after learning of the arrests. Neighbor Marc Killam added, “I hope they are held accountable, but also they get help. Drugs are a horrible thing.”
Sanders and Delaney were each charged with one count of child neglect with great bodily harm and two counts of child neglect without great bodily harm. According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Sanders’ bond was set at $450,000, while Delaney’s bond was set at $25,000.
The student is expected to make a full recovery, authorities said.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Latest Articles
Police: Child Finds Fentanyl on Bathroom Sink, Brings It to School and Overdoses
Deputies say the student took fentanyl left on a bathroom sink at home, brought it to school, and collapsed after ingesting it.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 18, 2026 8:21 am ET
Joshua Sanders, left, and Courtney Delaney (via Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office)
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FL — A middle school student in southwest Florida narrowly survived a fentanyl overdose after bringing the drug from home to campus, an incident that authorities say has now led to the arrest of both of her caregivers on child neglect charges.
According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to L.A. Ainger Middle School shortly after 9:19 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, for a report of an unresponsive student. When they arrived, they found the child on the floor as the school nurse performed CPR. Based on their training and experience, deputies suspected an overdose and administered Narcan, which produced an immediate positive response. Charlotte County Fire & EMS then transported the student to a local hospital for further treatment.
Investigators later confirmed the substance involved was fentanyl and began working to determine how the child had come into contact with it. According to the sheriff’s office, detectives learned the student had accessed a small container of fentanyl kept inside her home by caregiver Joshua Lee Sanders, 40, and brought it to school in her backpack.
An arrest report cited by Gulf Coast News Now states the fentanyl was stored in an essential oils bottle labeled “FENT.” The student took the container into a school bathroom, where she ingested a small amount. The effects were nearly immediate, and she collapsed shortly after returning toward class.
The student later told authorities she had previously seen her father using narcotics and had become curious, according to the affidavit. She said she began to feel “funny” after consuming the substance and only remembered waking up in an ambulance, WWSB reported.
Detectives say the child found the container on a bathroom sink at home before placing it in her backpack. According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, caregivers Sanders and Courtney Delaney, 34, had argued multiple times about the presence of fentanyl in the house prior to the incident.
Delaney told deputies she had confronted Sanders about missing fentanyl the day before the overdose and kicked him out of the bedroom following the argument, according to Gulf Coast News Now. She also acknowledged knowing Sanders used fentanyl and said she had previously found suspected narcotics in the home and disposed of them. Despite that, investigators said she allowed him to continue staying at the residence, even after he signed an agreement days earlier stating he would no longer be on the lease.
When questioned, Sanders admitted to leaving the bottle in the bathroom near the sink, according to authorities.
A search of the school bathroom where the incident occurred revealed traces of fentanyl on a toilet paper holder, and deputies recovered the bottle from the student’s backpack, investigators said.
“First and most importantly, I am glad to hear that the student will make a full recovery. 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,” Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said. “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.”
Charlotte County Public Schools emphasized that drug use on campus is strictly prohibited but noted the rapid response by staff helped save the student’s life.
“Drug possession or use on campus is strictly prohibited and has no place in our schools. But in this case, because the student was at school and surrounded by trained adults who acted immediately, a life was saved,” the district said in a statement. “She is with us today because of the systems we have in place.”
Community members expressed both shock and concern following the incident. “It’s just sad,” grandparent Bob Koetzle told Gulf Coast News Now after learning of the arrests. Neighbor Marc Killam added, “I hope they are held accountable, but also they get help. Drugs are a horrible thing.”
Sanders and Delaney were each charged with one count of child neglect with great bodily harm and two counts of child neglect without great bodily harm. According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Sanders’ bond was set at $450,000, while Delaney’s bond was set at $25,000.
The student is expected to make a full recovery, authorities said.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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