Lawrence man charged in teen’s apparent overdose

A Lawrence man is facing multiple felony charges in connection with a teen suffering potentially life-threatening injuries from an apparent overdose.

Dana S. Wingert, 56, was arrested Sunday at his home in eastern Lawrence, where police responded to what was initially an unknown emergency call, according to jail and police records.

At the scene, about 5:45 a.m., police found a teen having a medical emergency possibly related to an overdose, Sgt. Amy Rhoads said. The teen was taken to an area hospital with injuries considered possibly life-threatening.

Rhoads did not say what substance the juvenile ingested. The teen was an acquaintance of the suspect, Rhoads said.

On Tuesday, Wingert was charged with distributing a controlled substance causing great bodily harm and two counts of aggravated child endangerment of victims ages 15 and 16, all felonies, according to the complaint filed in Douglas County District Court.

Wingert was further charged with felony interference with law enforcement, for allegedly concealing, destroying or altering evidence; misdemeanor marijuana possession; and misdemeanor drug paraphernalia possession.

After his first court appearance Tuesday, Wingert was released on $50,000 personal recognizance bond, with “intensive” pretrial supervision, according to court documents. Among bond conditions, he was ordered not to have contact with anyone under 18 and to wear a patch detecting illegal drug use.

On his application for a court-appointed attorney, which he was granted, Wingert indicated that he was unemployed and disabled.

The Journal-World requested Wingert’s mugshot from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, but did not immediately receive a response as to whether it would be released.

Contact Journal-World public safety reporter Sara Shepherd

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