January 20, 2025
A 36-year-old Columbus woman is in the Bartholomew County Jail for preliminary charges of neglect after her child reportedly overdosed on drugs. On January 17th, 2025 at 11:50 a.m., Columbus Police Department (CPD) officers were called to Columbus Fire Station 1, 1101 Jackson Street, for a possible overdose. When the officers arrived, they learned that a 3-year-old child had been taken by medical personnel to the hospital with symptoms of an opioid overdose. The child’s mother, Dakota Smith, was still at the fire station.
Investigators were called and executed multiple search warrants, including at a home on W Suburban Ct. and Smith’s vehicle. Detectives believe the child ingested fentanyl or heroin from Smith’s personal items while the child was in Smith’s care.
The child was treated and later released from the hospital.
Dakota Smith was originally arrested for the preliminary charge of neglect of a dependent, a level 6 felony, but her preliminary charge was enhanced to a level 5 felony.
On January 20th, 2025, officers also arrested the child’s father, Dennis Roberts II, 35 of Columbus, for the preliminary charge of neglect of a dependent, a level 5 felony. Both Smith and Roberts remain incarcerated at the Bartholomew County Jail.
All charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Dakota Smith

Dennis Roberts II
Police
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