Fentanyl poisoning suspected cause of teen's death in Liberty Hill
LIBERTY HILL, Texas - The Williamson County Sheriff's Office is urging the community to get educated on the dangers of fentanyl after the death of a 17-year-old boy in Liberty Hill on Thursday night.
On February 29, around 7 p.m., deputies responded to a call in the 100 block of Round Up Dr. for a suspected fentanyl poisoning death.
Deputies say the incident is currently an active investigation, so details are limited.
They are asking the community to take proactive measures to protect themselves against fentanyl.
The Hamons are still processing their loss.
"This is about as devastating as it possibly can get," said Brittany Plocica, Johnathon Hamon’s aunt.
Johnathon Hamon was just 17.
"He’s a very good kid, and he’s got really good parents," said Plocica.
His family said they had talked about the dangers of fentanyl together.
"He said, ‘I wouldn’t do that mom, I wouldn’t do that,’" said Plocica.
His younger sister found him in the garage on Friday. He had plans to hang out with friends on Thursday night.
His family said they believe Hamon thought he was taking Percocet that night.
"They were found in his room after he was found," said Plocica. "They found them and tested them, and they tested positive instantly."
The percocet was fentanyl.
Now Hamon will stay forever 17.
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The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office urged families to talk about fentanyl, in all the forms it can take on.
"We are pleading with the community to get educated on fentanyl," said Sgt. Heather Vargas with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. "For teachers, parents, churches, everybody to get educated and to educate their kids on fentanyl. It’s in plain sight."
Hamon's family backed that message in hopes no parents would feel a pain like theirs.
"My family's goal right now is we want to get the word out to other parents and other kids out there that this fentanyl situation is real," said Plocica. "It is very, very real, and it absolutely can happen to your child."
The family shared a GoFundMe to help pay for memorial services.
The Forever 15 Project and Texas Against Fentanyl are two Central Texas resources for families to learn more about fentanyl awareness. Both are founded by parents who have also lost a child to the drug.
You can contact the Williamson County Sheriff's Office Organized Crime Unit at heather.vargas@wilco.org for more information and guidance.
"By staying informed and seeking assistance, we can work together to prevent future fentanyl-related incidents," the WCSO said.