A woman has been arrested after allegedly backing out of a failed “suicide pact” with her 10-year-old daughter.
On July 6, Ocean Springs officers responded to reports of a child overdosing at the Studio 6 Motel on Bienville Boulevard.
When first responders arrived, they found Brittney Leigh Hensley and a young girl unconscious, as reported by the Ocean Springs Weekly Record.
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When authorities searched the motel room, they discovered several unknown capsules and empty prescription medication bottles in a green backpack near the little girl, whose name has not been released. They also located a medication bottle that was allegedly prescribed to the child’s mother.
Hensley and her daughter were transported separately to the Ocean Springs Hospital by ambulance and were treated by Emergency Room physicians.
The daughter was then airlifted to USA Women’s and Children’s Hospital shortly after. She has thankfully regained consciousness.
According to the Biloxi Sun Herald, the young girl disclosed to the police that she and her mother agreed to take the medication as part of a “suicide pact".
It is alleged that the mom decided not to follow through with the pact after her daughter took the drugs. She instead fled Mississippi before speaking with police investigators and officials with Child Protection Services regarding the criminal allegations.
Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers put out an alert on Facebook for civilians to be on the lookout for her.
On October 15, the page reported that Hensley had been taken into custody by the Huntsville Police Department on behalf of the Ocean Springs Police Department on a warrant for “Felonious Child Abuse” by poisoning.
“She had this suicide pact with her daughter,” Ocean Springs Police Chief Ryan Lemaire told the publication. “The momma started freaking out when her daughter wouldn’t wake up.”
Hensley was apprehended by cops three months after the horrific incident. They tracked her down in Huntsville, Alabama, where she was staying with relatives, and detained her.
She was extradited to Jackson County Adult Detention Center in Mississippi. Per court records, the mom is being held on a $500,000 bond. It is unclear if she has a lawyer.
Meanwhile, her 10-year-old child was taken into Mississippi CPS custody, where she remains, as reported by Live 5 News.
Ocean Springs Police Deputy Chief Dye told PEOPLE that it's always difficult working a case that involves children. “Any time we’re dealing with a child in a situation like this, it is very tough. It pulls on our heartstrings," Dye told the outlet.
“No one wants to see a child hurt," he said, adding that cops involved in the case have children of their own so child abuse cases "are always a little bit harder on us".
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.