A 69-year-old DeLand woman was arrested after deputies said she tried to kill her disabled 13-year-old great-granddaughter and herself, a plan discovered after family members found a suicide note on Dec. 29 and alerted authorities. A patrol deputy later stopped her vehicle and found the teen unresponsive inside, officials said.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said the woman, identified as Deborah A. Collier, is charged with attempted first-degree murder. Investigators said the girl, who has cerebral palsy and requires round-the-clock care, was discovered breathing but unresponsive during the traffic stop and was rushed to a hospital, where she stabilized. Deputies reported recovering prescription medications and a typed note that referenced ending both of their lives. Detectives said early interviews pointed to escalating stress within the family tied to intensive caregiving responsibilities, and the case was quickly referred to prosecutors while the teen remained under medical observation.
Deputies began searching Monday evening after relatives reported finding a suicide note at Collier’s DeLand home. The alert included a broadcast to area units to be on the lookout for her vehicle. A deputy located the car near rural roads northwest of DeLand and conducted a stop. According to a sheriff’s report, the teen appeared to have white pill residue on her clothing and did not respond to attempts to rouse her. Paramedics transported her for treatment; officials later said she was stable. “This could have ended far worse without that timely call from the family and a quick response,” a sheriff’s spokesperson said in a brief statement.
Authorities said Collier and her husband have been the girl’s primary guardians since birth. In statements summarized by investigators, Collier expressed fear about placing the teen in a facility and said she believed only family could manage her care. Deputies said they recovered prescription pill bottles in Collier’s purse and collected written notes as evidence. The sheriff’s office did not immediately release toxicology results for the teen or a detailed list of medications seized. Officials also did not specify the exact roadway where the stop occurred, citing the ongoing investigation and privacy concerns for the child.
Jail records reviewed by local outlets indicated Collier was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail following medical clearance. A first appearance was expected to address bond and counsel. Investigators said additional charges were possible depending on lab results and the medical examiner’s findings on the teen’s ingestion. Detectives are compiling a timeline that includes the discovery of the home note on Dec. 29, the BOLO issued to deputies, the timing of the traffic stop, and the hospital’s initial assessment. Prosecutors will review interviews, the recovered writings and any digital communications before filing a formal information.
Neighbors on the block near Collier’s home described a quiet scene broken by the arrival of patrol cars after dark. One resident said deputies knocked on doors seeking information about vehicles leaving the area that evening. By morning, only a patrol unit remained briefly at the end of the street. At the hospital, staff directed reporters to the sheriff’s office for updates on the teen’s condition; no further medical details were released beyond “stable.” Child-welfare officials were notified, standard in cases involving potential harm to a minor with special needs.
Volusia County, home to DeLand and communities stretching toward the St. Johns River, often coordinates multi-agency responses when vulnerable patients are involved. In similar investigations, deputies seek pharmacy records, review recent clinic visits, and request phone and location data to corroborate movement before a stop. Detectives also typically obtain search warrants for a suspect’s residence to collect additional notes, medications or devices that could shed light on intent and planning. Officials said those steps were underway in this case as the teen’s physicians monitored for complications.
As of Saturday, deputies said the teen remained in stable condition and that Collier was held pending a first-appearance hearing. The sheriff’s office said it would provide an update after lab results and formal charging decisions are returned in the coming days.
Author note: Last updated January 3, 2026.