Joliet Child's Heroin Death: 'Was It An Accident? Was It On Purpose?'

JOLIET —Nearly three weeks have passed since the heroin overdose death of 12-year-old Joliet girl Mya King, a tragedy that has brought enormous pain and heartache for her friends and extended family.

At the time, Joliet police arrested King's mother on charges of possession of controlled substances, but Will County State's Attorney Jim Glasgow has chosen not to file any other criminal charges at this point against the child's mother, Colette Bancroft, who resides in the 1500 block of East Washington Street.

Meanwhile, family members on Mya King's paternal side of her family have launched a GoFundMe in hopes of raising $8,000. It's called "Help Honor Mya King's Beautiful Soul."

So far, only 22 donations have been made, and the GoFundMe has raised $1,065 in two weeks' time.

Melissa King, Mya's aunt who lives in Lockport, is organizing the GoFundMe.

"Baby girl was only 12. This was so unexpected and devastating to the family," King posted. "I don't want to go to much into details, but it was an overdose off heroin mixed with fentanyl. Why is still the question. Was it an accident was it on purpose, we will never know!! but what I do know is she was always full of life around us. "

Mya was originally discovered to be unresponsive by her mother, Bancroft, and others in the home called 911. Officers learned that Bancroft and her daughter share the bedroom where the Mya was found. Joliet police recovered suspected heroin and fentanyl from Bancroft’s purse in the bedroom, and she was placed into custody without incident.

Melissa King wanted everyone to know that Mya was too young and "this shouldn't have happened to her. Please help send her beautiful soul off the right way."

If you want to donate, visit the Mya King GoFundMe website.