Elaina Towery and her friend had stopped at a Detroit area Burger King to use the restroom on August 10, when the 22-year-old texted her mom, Cheryl, to let her know she’d be home soon.
It was the last text she’d ever receive from her daughter.
After 20 minutes in the bathroom, Elaina’s friend became worried. It was at this same time that a Burger King employee found the 22-year-old unconscious in the bathroom, and going into cardiac arrest.
Elaina had overdosed for the fifth time in her seven years of battling drug addiction.
Cheryl explains that her daughter first turned to drugs in 2010 after becoming involved in an abusive relationship. She was 15 years old.
Two years later, she got pregnant with her son Christopher, who she gave up in order to ensure he would have a better life.
The abusive boyfriend was eventually convicted of his crimes, but Elaina’s drug addiction continued. She overdosed on five separate occasions, and had been admitted to five different treatment centers for help, but to no avail.