Columbus mother, father arrested after child reportedly overdoses on opioids
Jan 21, 2025
COLUMBUS, Ind. -- A Columbus woman and man were arrested earlier this month after their 3-year-old child was taken to a hospital after a reported opioid overdose.
According to a news release from the Columbus Police Department, 36-year-old Dakota Smith was arrested on a preliminary charge of neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 felony.
At around 11:50 a.m. on Jan. 17, officers with the Columbus Police Department were called to a Columbus Fire Station, located in the 1100 block of Jackson Street, on a call of a possible overdose.
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When officers arrived at the station, they learned that a 3-year-old child had been taken to the hospital with symptoms of an opioid overdose. Smith, who was identified as the child's mother, was reportedly still at the fire station.
Investigators conducted multiple searches, including at a home on West Suburban Court and in Smith's vehicle. The release said that detectives believe that the child ingested fentanyl or heroin from Smith's personal items when the child was in her care.
The release said that the child was treated and later released from the hospital.
On Monday, police confirmed Dennis Roberts II, 35, of Columbus was also arrested in connection to this case. Roberts is the child in question's father.
Roberts faces a preliminary count of neglect of a dependent, a Level 5 felony.
Both Smith and Roberts remain incarcerated at the Bartholomew County Jail.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.