BY TINA L. SCOTT
PUBLISHER
Heather Joy O’Neill, 53, of rural Merrill (Town of Harding) was arrested on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 and formally charged with two felonies and one misdemeanor in the County Circuit Court of Lincoln (LCCC) Thursday. , June 22. O’Neill is charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree recklessly endangering safety as a result of overdosing her 16-year-old autistic son with possibly prescription and over-the-counter medications on Dec. 20. june He also overdosed on medication in an apparent attempt to take his own life. He is also charged with an additional felony count of resisting or obstructing an officer.
Defendant called 911
According to the complaint filed with LCCC and the investigating sergeant’s affidavit in support of the search warrant issued for O’Neill’s home, where she lived and was the primary caregiver for her 16-year-old son, the center Lincoln County 911 dispatch received a call from Heather O’Neill at 5:59 p.m. on June 20.
A transcript of the 911 call states that Heather O’Neill told the 911 operator, “I just overdosed my son and myself.”
He was identified by his name.
When asked what they took, she replied “Numerous things.”
In response to further questions, O’Neill indicated that her son was in her bedroom and breathing and said she was “extremely upset” and, referring to her son, said that “He has been very violent this afternoon. … He has tantrums. You’re going to have to pump his stomach.”
After hearing that help had been dispatched, Heather O’Neill hung up despite being told to stay on the line.
The affidavit said a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) deputy arrived at the scene and Heather and her son were met outside and that Heather told the deputy that her son had to go to the hospital. Heather then attempted to retreat into the residence, but was stopped by the deputy and after brief attempts to elude her, the deputy successfully handcuffed her.
When the deputy asked Heather what she had given her son, “Heather said she gave him a bunch,” the deputy said.
After Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived and “began to render aid to Liam,” they also asked Heather what she gave Liam, and the deputy said Heather told them that “he give Trazodone, sleep aids and sedatives.”
According to the deputy’s account, “Heather stated, ‘I’m tired of living like this,’ and that Liam had thrown a tantrum today and said, ‘I’m done.'”
A search warrant of the home revealed four empty bottles of prescription medication prescribed to Heather or the victim. Based on the dates the medications were filled by the pharmacy, the medication bottles should not have been empty yet. Additional partial bottles of prescription medications for Heather or the victim were also located, along with boxes of numerous other prescription and over-the-counter medications, either completely or partially used.
A suicide note addressed to Tom, the defendant’s husband, and signed “Your wife and friend, Heather” was also found.
The note read, in part, “I have come to the conclusion that life is not going to get any better from here.” The note said the victim had had a “physically violent tantrum” and could no longer live with him.
“As soon as he doesn’t get his way, [he] he becomes aggressive with me. I can’t handle this anymore,” the note read.
“I don’t remember why I wanted to have a child anymore,” the note read. “It’s been such a miserable burden on me and it will continue to be. This will never end. I’ll never be able to live the happy, peaceful life I’ve needed. I’m sorry I’ve caused you pain…”
Speaking to the deputy, Tom O’Neill reported that he called his wife and she didn’t answer, but she called him about 15-20 minutes later and said an ambulance was on its way for “Liam and me” and that Heather told him, “We took medicine. I gave us medicine.”
The complaint showing probable cause documents numerous statements credited to Heather.
For one thing, the complaint said Heather, when asked by paramedics if the drug overdose had been intentional, had confirmed that it had been and stated, “I’m done” and “I’m tired of living like this.”
However, Heather had also initiated the 911 call, and once paramedics arrived on the scene, “Heather often became angry and kept yelling at EMS to ‘pump the victim’s stomach.’ . “At one point, Heather became belligerent” and told law enforcement something to the effect that if EMS didn’t hurry, the victim would die.”
“Heather kept asking ‘What are they waiting for?’ and ‘He needs to go to the hospital right now’ and ‘He needs to get his stomach pumped,’” the complaint said.
Liam was transported to Aspirus Merrill Hospital by ambulance and Heather was transported by marked team.
“While at the hospital, Heather testified that she (Heather) gave them (Heather and victim) the pills to die. Heather also said, “I gave her some medicine and she took the same, but I can’t say -te how many things each of us had” and “I broke, it’s 16 years of his violent tantrums. I can’t take it anymore, it hits me. I wanted it to be over for both of us’”.
“Heather had also made a statement to the effect that she wished she had not called 911 and let it happen,” the complaint said.
While at the hospital, the victim had a seizure, turned very blue in the face and stopped breathing for a while, then had to be intubated, and staff advised that her condition was deteriorating , according to the Complaint. The current condition of the victim is unknown.
Initial appearance and set of cash bonds
Heather O’Neill made an initial appearance in Lincoln County Circuit Court via video from the Lincoln County Jail on the afternoon of June 22 before Judge Robert Russell, who set O’Neill’s bond on $100,000 cash bond.
In addition, if she posts bail, Heather O’Neill must have no contact with the victim and maintain absolute sobriety. Attorney Kristopher R. Ellis appeared for the State of Wisconsin and Attorney Jessica Fehrenbach appeared separately for O’Neill.
The Court adjourned the matter to allow O’Neill time to retain counsel, and his adjourned initial appearance has been set for July 21, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.
Heather O’Neill is currently being held at the Lincoln County Jail.
