GASTONIA, N.C. – The unexpected loss of 16-year-old Abigail Saunderson to fentanyl poisoning shocked her family and friends. However, recent developments in North Carolina law brought a sense of justice to her loved ones. The people responsible for her death are facing prison time, marking a victory for her family after fighting for more than a year.
Tracy Saunderson-Ross, Abi’s mother, shared emotional sentiments about her daughter, expressing the happiness and love Abi brought to everyone around her. The sentencing of 24-year-old Deontae Miller, a drug dealer involved in Abi’s death, brought some relief, with Miller’s guilty plea to death by distribution earning him a three-year prison sentence.
Abi’s boyfriend, Nicholas Ivey, also faces prison time for providing her with the painkiller obtained from Miller. The recent amendments to North Carolina law enable the prosecution of individuals providing certain drugs leading to a drug death, a significant shift in the legal landscape surrounding drug-related fatalities in the state.
Looking ahead, Saunderson-Ross plans to honor her daughter’s memory with the creation of Abi’s Angels Fighting Fentanyl, a foundation aimed at supporting victims’ families, educating teenagers about illegal drugs, and advocating for schools to have access to the overdose-countering drug Narcan for students.
Gaston County District Attorney Travis Page emphasized the shift in their approach to overdoses, treating every instance as a homicide and expressing optimism in the law’s potential to deter the distribution of fentanyl-laced products in the area.
In light of these recent developments, the efforts made to seek justice for Abigail Saunderson’s death have not only brought accountability but have also inspired positive action to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The impact of these changes in North Carolina law is not only significant for the case at hand but also carries implications for addressing the broader issue of drug-related fatalities in the state.