Mom charged with causing teen's suicide

MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) - A Muncie mother was charged with neglect and causing suicide after her 16-year-old son committed suicide, likely with prescription drugs he took from his mother, according to court documents.

Sabrina Howard, 40, told police she believes her son took 30 Xanax and 26 Lortabs, but she simply watched him on the couch instead of seeking medical attention. She did call the authorities when she noticed he wasn’t breathing and his hand had turned gray, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Family members told authorities the boy was under stress about his mother’s continuous drug use. She was known to be a street IV user of morphine.

Howard’s charges are both Class B felonies. The toxicology report after the 16-year-old’s death in July revealed high levels of benzodiazepines and opiates, according to court documents.