Mother Of Boy Who Fatally Overdosed On Methadone Faces Judge
KITTANNING (KDKA) -- The Armstrong County mother of an 11-year-old boy who was found dead after overdosing on her methadone went before a judge Tuesday afternoon.
Bobbi Jo Truckley appeared before a district justice to answer to charges in the death of her son.
On Dec. 18, investigators say 11-year-old Dustin Truckley died from an overdose of methadone pills from his mother's prescription.
"It doesn't matter what the criminal system can do to her, this is something she has to deal with," said Preston Younkins, the defense attorney.
A state police investigator testified that a high dose of methadone was found in the child's urine.
When they searched the home in Madison Township, state police said they found methadone liquid in bottles locked in a box.
But they also found methadone pills and other non-prescription drugs mixed together in an unsecured dresser drawer in the bedroom where her son and younger brothers were sleeping.
"My heart goes out just goes out to them. It's just unfortunate, but on the other hand, it does appear that there's been a violation here," said George Kepple, the Armstrong County Deputy District Attorney.
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Testimony also revealed that Dustin had an eating disorder called Pica, eating substances and objects with no nutritional value. The boy reportedly complained about having a cold the night before he died.
His mother is charged with involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person and endangering the welfare of a child. Her attorney asked the judge to drop the charges.
"Under criminal law, it can't be just mere negligence; it has to be gross negligence, recklessness, which is a pretty high standard," said Younkins. "And I just don't think… in the end after we get the chance to review the information from the D.A. and the state police, I just don't think they're going to be able to meet that standard in this case."