Joliet mother charged after daughter, 12, dies of suspected drug overdose: police

Narcan container
A used Narcan brand Naloxone nasal spray rests on the street after paramedics and police responded to a suspected fentanyl drug overdose in Portland, Oregon on January 25, 2024. Photo credit (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – A 12-year-old girl from Joliet died after taking what investigators believe was a combination of heroin and fentanyl, and the girl's mother was arrested in the death, police said.

Last Sunday, 35-year-old Colette Bancroft found her daughter unresponsive in their home in the 1500 block of East Washington Street, Joliet Police Sgt. Dwayne English said.

People in the home called 9-1-1, and when officers arrived they performed CPR on the girl and administered Narcan, he said.

The girl was taken to Silver Cross Hospital, before she was transferred later on Sunday to Lurie Children's Hospital. She died there Wednesday, English said.

Officers learned Bancroft and her daughter shared a bedroom. Suspected heroin and fentanyl were found in the mother’s purse, English said.

Colette Bancroft booking photo
Colette Bancroft Photo credit Joliet Police Department

Bancroft was charged with possession of controlled substances, and more charges are possible as the investigation continues.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)