Crime & Safety
Will County, IL Mother Charged in 12-Year-Old Daughter's Death
Joliet, IL – A 37 year old Will County mother has been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2024 death of her 12 year old daughter after investigators uncovered ad
By Audrey Sloan · 2026-11-09T18:36:56.769Z
Joliet, IL – A 37 year old Will County mother has been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2024 death of her 12 year old daughter after investigators uncovered additional evidence involving fentanyl.
According to the Joliet Police Department 's updated news release Monday, Nov. 9, detectives obtained an arrest warrant Nov. 5 for Collette Bancroft, 37, of Lockport, following a review of additional evidence by the Will County State's Attorney's Office.
Bancroft faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, felony endangering the life or health of a child, and two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
New Evidence Leads to Arrest
Police said investigators reviewed toxicology findings and additional evidence connected to the child's death, determining that fentanyl was present in the victim's system.
Detectives arrested Bancroft Saturday, Nov. 7, at a McDonald's restaurant in Lockport.
She was processed at the Joliet Police Department before being transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility.
Investigation Began in April 2024
The original investigation began April 14, 2024, when officers responded to a residence in the 1500 block of East Washington Street in Joliet.
Officers discovered the 12 year old girl unresponsive in an upstairs bedroom and immediately began lifesaving measures, including CPR and administering Narcan.
The child was transported to Silver Cross Hospital and later transferred to Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.
She was pronounced dead April 17, 2024.
Investigators initially suspected the child had ingested heroin and fentanyl.
Police said suspected narcotics were recovered from Bancroft's purse inside the bedroom she shared with her daughter.
Bancroft was initially arrested on a controlled substance possession allegation in April 2024.
The latest charges represent a significant development in the investigation more than two years after the child's death.
Authorities have not announced a trial date or released additional court proceedings.
All charges are allegations, and Bancroft is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.