Sunbury Man Charged After Child Allegedly Ingests Suboxone at School!
Sunbury, Pa. — A Sunbury man has been charged after his child reportedly ingested prescription Suboxone and became ill while at school.
The incident occurred on the morning of October 17 at Oaklyn Elementary School, where the child fell sick and was later transported to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment.
According to the affidavit, Sunbury Police were called after the child, who was not feeling well, told the school nurse she had consumed one of her father’s pills.
The child displayed concerning symptoms, including difficulty standing, lethargy, and an inability to bend her fingers. The school’s staff immediately contacted the child’s parents, reporting that the child appeared nauseous and tired.
The father, identified as 29-year-old Derick Allen Kuczynski, allegedly dismissed the school staff’s concerns, suggesting that his child was faking the symptoms unless she was exhibiting a fever or vomiting. Kuczynski also mentioned that the child’s asthma might have been the cause of her illness, according to court documents.
Despite the father’s initial reluctance to believe the severity of the situation, the child later admitted to school staff that she had ingested one of her father’s white pills. Emergency services were contacted, and the child was taken to Geisinger Medical Center for further evaluation.
Principal Steven Renn attempted to reach Kuczynski again to inform him that the child had been taken to the hospital.
Kuczynski responded by stating that he was walking the dog and that the child must have been referring to the family’s dog, which had also ingested a pill the day before, according to the affidavit. Kuczynski then abruptly ended the call.
The child’s mother later confirmed to medical staff that both she and Kuczynski were prescribed Suboxone, a medication typically used to treat opioid addiction. She also confirmed that the family dog had ingested Suboxone a day earlier and exhibited symptoms such as foaming at the mouth.
Following a toxicology report that showed the child had tested positive for fentanyl, Sunbury Police obtained a search warrant for the family’s apartment.
During the search, police discovered a variety of narcotics, including yellow pills marked “212,” plastic straws with white residue, a container of a crushed white substance, marijuana, and THC candy. In addition, officers found a significant amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl, along with drug paraphernalia.
Kuczynski was located later that day, still in possession of narcotics, including 6.3 grams of methamphetamine, a small amount of crack cocaine, and a baggie containing fentanyl. Police also found two glass smoking devices and 17 cell phones in his possession.
Kuczynski has been charged with felony endangering the welfare of a child, possession with intent to distribute narcotics, and other related charges. The case is being handled through the office of District Judge Rachel Wiest-Benner.
The child remained under observation at Geisinger Medical Center following the incident. Further legal proceedings are expected as the case unfolds.