Mother arrested months after 10-year-old daughter overdosed in ‘suicide pact,’ Ocean Springs police say

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – A woman has been arrested more than three months after she agreed to a “suicide pact” with her 10-year-old daughter, who overdosed on medication and is currently in CPS custody, according to the Ocean Springs Police Department.

Brittany Hensley was arrested and charged with child abuse.

On July 6, 2024, at approximately 6:25 p.m., OSPD officers responded to the Studio 6 Motel on Bienville Boulevard in reference to a report of a child overdose.

When first responders arrived, they found an unconscious young woman. Officers found several unknown capsules and empty prescription drug bottles in a green backpack near the unresponsive girl.

Police say the bottles of medication were prescribed to Brittney Hensley, the child’s mother.

Hensley and her 10-year-old daughter were transported separately by ambulance to Ocean Springs Hospital, where they were intubated by emergency physicians. Shortly thereafter, the daughter was taken by helicopter to American Children’s and Women’s Hospital.

Further investigation revealed that Hensley and her daughter had agreed to take the drug as part of a “suicide pact.” The daughter was taken to Mississippi CPS custody, where she remains.

Police say Hensley left the area and traveled to Alabama while the investigation continued. A warrant was issued for her arrest shortly thereafter.

On October 15, she was stopped by Huntsville police, where she was arrested and transferred back to Ocean Springs. There, she was charged with child abuse and placed on $500,000 bail.

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