Sarasota mom arrested after teen overdoses on heroin

A Sarasota mother won’t be getting any nominations for ‘Mother of the Year,’ after deputies say her 15-year-old son overdosed on heroin.

Cynthia Hyer, 47, was arrested for child neglect with great bodily harm by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday.

Deputies and paramedics found her son unconscious at their home in the 6900 block of Mauna Loa Boulevard on July 3.

The teen was saved and has since been treated and released from Doctor’s Hospital.

"I am really glad they caught her," said neighbor Rock Andrle. "Especially in my neighborhood."

Detectives say the mother admitted her home was a “flop house” where people come to use drugs.

Hyer said she knew that two women took her son to buy heroin in Bradenton. One of those women, 27-year-old, Courtney Johnson, has been arrested.

Deputies say she showed him how to inject it. They also said the teen had been using the drug for at least 10-days before he overdosed.

"It's a terrible situation," said Sarasota County Sheriff Maj. Paul Richard. "Heroin is a very addictive drug and a very dangerous one."

Deputies say the mother - who was unemployed - was said to have bought the teen beer and cigarettes since he was 14. They also said she was aware he was using prescription pills.

Investigators revealed school records show the boy dropped out after making it to class only half the school days the most-recent year.

"It's a household with not a lot of rules apparently," said Richard.

The ranch-style house is in an idyllic-looking Florida neighborhood.

Neighbors say it appeared police have been watching the home for several days, apparently for something more dangerous than leaving Christmas decorations up until July.

"There's trouble in every neighborhood," said Andrle.

Deputies say the boy has been placed with the Department of Children and Families.  

"I wouldn't measure this against any significant cases we have investigated in the past," said Richard. "It's more of a commentary on society today, and the message we are trying to get out is this is a very addictive and dangerous drug."

Both the mother and Johnson are being held on a $50,000 bond on charges of child neglect.

More charges could be filed.