Insets: Robert Dillard and Tasianna Squires (Lee County Sheriff's Office). Background: Quality Suites on Indian Paint Lane in Fort Myers, where Dillard's son allegedly overdosed on fentanyl (Google Maps).
A 10-year-old boy barely survived a fentanyl overdose after his dad and dad's girlfriend left copious amounts of the drug around a Florida hotel room, according to authorities.
Robert Dillard, 34, and Tasianna Squires, 27, stand accused of child neglect and trafficking in fentanyl, records show.
"Using and possessing these drugs is one thing — but leaving them within arm's reach of a child is a whole new level of negligence," Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said in a statement.
A probable cause arrest affidavit said Dillard called 911 after finding his son unresponsive at the Quality Suites on Indian Paint Lane in Fort Myers.
When deputies arrived, they found the boy "unconscious with a faint pulse." Paramedics suspected a drug overdose so they sprayed Narcan into his nose. When that didn't work, they gave him Narcan via an IV. He responded positively to the treatment and was taken to the hospital for an evaluation.
A urine analysis proved the boy had fentanyl in his system, per cops. The boy was able to speak with cops, but apparently did not implicate his father.
Deputies spoke with the boy's mother, who told them she believed Dillard and Squires were using drugs. While searching the hotel room, deputies found drug paraphernalia and about 10 grams of fentanyl behind a refrigerator, according to the affidavit. More fentanyl was located in tote bags around the room.
After receiving her Miranda rights, Squires allegedly admitted to using drugs but denied keeping them within the reach of children. She was reportedly vague about the details, but said she and Dillard were standing outside the hotel room when the victim called out to them. He coughed up a large amount of mucus and began having trouble breathing, which is when Dillard called 911 and started CPR.
Squires claimed she did not know how the boy would have ingested fentanyl and said any drugs found in the room were Dillard's, cops wrote.
"Tasianna did not seem concerned for the children's well-being, nor did she seem concerned about the large amount of narcotics," deputies noted.
Dillard declined to speak with investigators without an attorney present. Cops contacted the Department of Children and Families.
The two suspects were arrested and taken to the Lee County Jail, where they remain without bond. Their next court date is set for Sept. 14.