WASHINGTON, Mo. — A 13-year-old boy who was spending the night at a friend's house was found dead Sunday morning after an apparent drug overdose, police said.
Washington police Sgt. Steve Sitzes said a 12-year-old boy found his friend unresponsive around 9 a.m. He said sometime during the night, the two experimented with drugs they found in the house.
Police said a large quantity of prescription drugs and some illegal drugs were found inside the home in the 600 block of West 7th St., though it was unclear what drugs the boys used.
Three adults who lived inside the home — the mother and stepfather of the 12-year-old and a man renting a room in the home's basement — were arrested on drug-related charges, Sitzes said. Additional charges could be filed at the investigation's conclusion.
Two children -- the 12-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl who is the daughter of the couple who was arrested -- were taken into protective custody by the Missouri Department of Social Services Children's Division.
The 13-year-old was a seventh-grade student at Washington Middle School. The district said it would have counselors available Monday to support fellow students and staff.
The police department expressed its condolences to the boy's family and asked that everyone give them privacy at this time.
An autopsy is scheduled for Monday at the St. Louis County Medical Examiner’s office.