12-year-old boy dies of methadone overdose

DUNN, N.C. (AP) — The Department of Social Services is investigating the death of a 12-year-old boy who authorities believe died from a drug overdose.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Monday that Caleb Wayne Bevil died Saturday at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh. He had been on life support for four days.

Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said it appears Caleb took methadone pills. The drug is a painkiller also used to help heroin addicts break their drug addiction.

Caleb lived with his mother, Tina Lynn, and her boyfriend, James Hardee, along with three siblings in Dunn. Lynn and Hardee found the boy unconscious Wednesday. The three other children were taken into foster care.

Thornton said had Caleb survived, it was doubtful he would have regained consciousness.

Authorities are investigating how Caleb got the pills.

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Information from: The Fayetteville Observer, http://www.fayettevillenc.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)