13-Year-Old Missouri Boy Dies Of Drug Overdose During Sleepover At Friend's House

A 13-year-old boy in Missouri died of a drug overdose during a sleepover at a friend’s house over the weekend, and three adults at the house were arrested in connection with the minor's death, police said.

Police were called to a residence in the 600 block of Seventh Street in Washington on Sunday. On arrival, officers found the victim’s body in his 12-year-old friend’s bedroom.

According to police, the 12-year-old said that he and the victim found the drugs inside the house and were experimenting with them, Associated Press reported.

Police officers said that adults in the house last saw the 13-year-old awake about 11 p.m. Saturday. The 12-year-old told police that he and his friends stayed up until at least 1 a.m. playing video games.

"The 12-year-old was showing signs of being under the influence of something," police Sgt. Steve Sitzes was quoted as saying by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "He was quite lethargic, and not quite with it."

On executing a search warrant, officers found various prescriptions and illegal drugs inside the house. According to Sitzes, police were able to find methamphetamine and capsules that may contain heroin or fentanyl.

Police are waiting to notify the family of the victim before releasing his name. An autopsy to determine the cause of death was set to be conducted.

The 12-year-old boy’s mother, stepfather and a man renting a room in the basement of the home were arrested by police and may be charged with drug possession. However, police might have to wait till the toxicology results are back before charging them with the minor’s death.

Police have taken the 12-year-old boy and his 7-year-old sister into protective custody.

Last week, a couple was arrested and charged with child neglect and third-degree murder after their 1-year-old daughter died of a drug overdose.

A relative told police that the toddler was abandoned on her doorstep, who then rushed the child to a hospital. She could not be saved. The toddler’s father was previously arrested for injuring their 6-year-old child. A medical examiner ruled that the child died from a cocktail of fentanyl and cocaine intoxication, police said.