Hensley, Arkansas – A mother and daughter from Saline County were found guilty of a fatal drug conspiracy that ended in the overdose of four individuals—one of whom died. “A drug-filled evening that ended with four overdoses, including one death, at a Saline County home has now resulted in a mother and daughter spending decades in federal prison.”
Conviction Follows Overdose Death
April Adams, 62, and her 38-year-old daughter, Amber Church, both of Hensley, were convicted by a federal jury on Wednesday of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl that caused a death. Additional charges included Adams’ distribution of methamphetamine and Church’s distribution of fentanyl.
The three-day trial culminated in a swift decision by the jury, who deliberated for just over four hours before delivering guilty verdicts on all counts. The case now awaits sentencing by U.S. District Court Judge James M. Moody, Jr. Both women remain in federal custody and face a mandatory minimum of 20 years in federal prison for the fentanyl-related charges. Adams could also face a maximum of 20 years for the methamphetamine charge.
According to the April 2024 indictment, the women were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl resulting in death. Church was further charged with the actual distribution of fentanyl that led to the fatal overdose, while Adams was separately charged with distributing methamphetamine.
Four Overdoses at Crab Apple Circle Home
The tragic events unfolded on April 16, 2023, when Saline County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence on Crab Apple Circle after a report of multiple drug overdoses. When law enforcement arrived, they discovered four people had overdosed. Emergency personnel quickly administered Narcan to reverse the effects of opioid overdose, saving three of the individuals. Sadly, one person was pronounced dead at the scene.
Testimony during the trial revealed shocking details about how the night’s events escalated. Two of the survivors took the stand and described how Adams had initially offered methamphetamine to them, Church, and the eventual victim. After using the meth, Church asked her mother if she could bring out what she described as “cocaine” from Adams’ room.
Adams allowed her daughter to retrieve the substance, which Church then distributed to the group. All four—Church included—used the drug, which was later confirmed to be fentanyl. Almost instantly after inhaling the powder, all four users began losing consciousness.
Adams, who did not consume the fentanyl, reportedly waited nearly 45 minutes before taking any action. Instead of contacting emergency services immediately, she called a friend for help, delaying medical response during a life-or-death situation.
Sentencing and Legal Consequences Await
Now convicted, Adams and Church face steep legal consequences. The fentanyl-related charges carry a minimum of 20 years in prison, and Adams’ methamphetamine charge adds additional exposure of up to two decades. Both women are also subject to fines up to $1 million and at least three years of supervised release following incarceration.
The case underscores the devastation that can follow the spread of illicit drugs like fentanyl, which has been linked to thousands of overdose deaths across the country. This tragic incident highlights not only the fatal risk of consuming unknown substances but also the dangers of trusting those who are willing to supply them.
What began as a night of casual drug use at a family home turned into a nightmare of overdoses, fatal consequences, and ultimately, a pair of prison-bound convictions.
