A 69-year-old DeLand woman is accused of planning a murder-suicide involving her 13-year-old great-granddaughter, who has cerebral palsy.
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Detectives say a welfare check that began with a suicide note ended with the rescue of a 13-year-old girl and the arrest of her great-grandmother, who is now charged with attempted first-degree murder after deputies intercepted a vehicle and found the child unresponsive but breathing.
Deputies launched a countywide search Monday after relatives reported a note left at a home in DeLand. A short time later, patrol units stopped a vehicle near Seville and discovered the girl in the backseat, according to investigators. Paramedics rushed her to a hospital, where officials said she was stabilized and listed in stable condition. The driver, identified by deputies as Deborah Collier, 69, was detained at the scene. Detectives said they recovered additional notes describing an intent to end both lives and found several prescription medication bottles in a purse inside the car.
In sworn statements, investigators said the woman cited family stress and constant caregiving demands for the teen, who requires 24-hour care because of a disability. The sheriff’s office said the woman and her husband have served as the girl’s guardians since birth. Detectives emphasized that the husband reported his own health issues but was not arrested. Officials withheld the hospital’s name and the girl’s specific treatment details under privacy laws. It remained unknown whether the woman had hired an attorney or entered a plea as of Tuesday.
Authorities are working with state child-welfare specialists to document the girl’s condition and determine safe placement while the criminal case proceeds. Investigators are seeking toxicology findings, pharmacy records and timelines built from call logs and traffic camera data. Detectives said they would also review any previous interactions with the household to see whether outside assistance had been requested. The sheriff’s office said it does not believe any other suspects are involved. Formal charging decisions will be made after prosecutors review the full case file.
Neighbors described the home as quiet. One neighbor said they rarely saw the teen, though an accessible van sometimes parked in the driveway. A sheriff’s spokesperson called the case “deeply upsetting,” adding that victim advocates were in contact with the family and that deputies were focused on facts collected from notes, interviews and medical records. The office said additional updates would follow once lab results and court filings are complete.
The woman remained jailed without bond Tuesday, and the teen stayed hospitalized in stable condition. The next expected milestone is a first appearance hearing, followed by a charging decision from prosecutors.
Author note: Last updated January 1, 2026.