Central Florida woman accused of drugging disabled great-granddaughter in attempted murder-suicide

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. —

A woman was arrested after deputies caught her in the process of an apparent murder-suicide with her great-granddaughter, according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said the woman, Deborah Collier, 69, faces an attempted first-degree murder charge.

It all started when Collier's family found a suicide note.

Deputies began looking for her after she left her home in the Daytona Park Estates area of DeLand and left behind a suicide note.

A VSO deputy spotted her vehicle and conducted a traffic stop for a well-being check.

Collier was located behind the wheel, while her 13-year-old disabled great-granddaughter was unconscious in the passenger seat, according to the VSO.

Deputies said the child had white pill residue on her and found her totally unresponsive.

Inside Collier’s purse, authorities found prescription pills and a typed note explaining she was ending her and her great-granddaughter's lives to spare the family further stress.

Detectives learned that the victim has brain damage due to her mother’s drug use during pregnancy. The 13-year-old reportedly has cerebral palsy and requires 24-hour care because of her disabilities. Collier and her husband have been her sole guardians since birth.

According to Collier, because the girl was overweight, caring for her had become increasingly difficult. Her husband also reportedly has a heart condition with stress-related symptoms.

VSO said the demands of caretaking have contributed to significant stress in the family.

Because Collier opposed placing the victim in an assisted living facility, she acted out of desperation and decided to end both her great-granddaughter’s life and her own, according to deputies. The arrest affidavit states Collier intentionally provided the young girl with medication that contained Amphetamines and Benzodiazepines.

Collier believed that no one would care for her like family.

Deputies said she was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail and is currently being held without bond.

The 13-year-old was airlifted to an Orlando-area hospital and immediately transferred to the pediatric ICU.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here.

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