Orlando Wrongful Death: Boy Dies of Methadone Overdose

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on September 22, 2011

A 32-year-old Holly Hill man is facing murder charges after a 14-year-old boy died from a methadone overdose after finding the drug in the trash. The Volusia County State Attorney’s Office recently issued an indictment for the man for first-degree murder and a felony charge of delivering a controlled substance to a minor in connection with the boy’s death. The man is accused of driving the victim and another 17-year-old minor to Whitney Labs near Ormond Beach on Highway 1 early on the morning of May 24 and showing the boys how to find methadone the company has discarded in a dumpster.

Images from a surveillance video showed the 14-year-old victim walking to a dumpster outside the building and then waving the 17-year-old over. The older boy them climbed into the dumpster and was seen exiting the dumpster with two plastic bags filled with discarded methadone containers. Investigators say the accused and the boys then went to a home on Mayfield Circle, where they scraped methadone residue from each container. Police say the teens then took some of the methadone and then passed out. The 17-year-old told Orlando police that the victim had taken the prescription tranquilizer Xanax around 7 p.m. the previous evening. He told police that the accused had told the boy that it would be alright if he took the methadone because the Xanax “would be out of his system by now.” When the older boy woke up later on the morning of May 24, he was unable to wake his friend.

When a person’s negligence and/or unlawful actions lead to the death of another person, the victim’s family may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party. Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham would like to remind readers that filing a wrongful death claim in Florida can be quite complicated. He recommends that a victim’s family schedule a consultation with him or another experienced Florida wrongful death attorney so that they can learn more about their options. If family members prefer to meet with Mr. Cunningham at one of his law offices throughout Central Florida, they can call him today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 to schedule a free consultation to learn more about Florida wrongful death statutes.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.