Mother Charged With Driving Son to Suicide

Sabrina Ann Howard, 40. Police photo.

Muncie, Ind., mother Sabrina Ann Howard was arrested Monday on preliminary charges of causing suicide and neglect of a dependent after her 16-year-old son fatally overdosed on her prescription medication in July. According to what family members told Muncie police, the teen had been in distress about fighting with Howard about her drug addiction “and the possibility of finding her OD or dead.”

Howard told police she’d previously been a Morphine abuser, but police say she had fresh track marks on her arms when she was interviewed following her son’s death. In the interview, Howard allegedly told police that when her son took the pills, she told him they could kill him, but did not seek medical attention until eight hours later when she found him unresponsive. In all, police say, the boy took 30 Xanax and 26 tablets of a painkiller. According to a probable cause affidavit, the boy had threatened to kill himself in January, and Howard refused to admit him to a treatment center despite being urged to do so by doctors.

Howard is being held without bail. She also has misdemeanor charges of battery and disorderly conduct pending against her from an unrelated incident. When Indianapolis news outlet RTV 6 went to Howard’s family’s home Tuesday, a sign reading “NO COMMENT Don’t bother knocking Thank You” was posted on the door.

See Also:

Megan Meier Internet Suicide