Abraham says she did not give drugs to teen who died

Nicole Abraham claims she didn't give 16-year-old James “Jimmy” Wylie the drugs that led to his December 2006 death from an overdose.

Abraham told The Herald the ecstasy, oxycontin and methadone going around during the fateful party at her Naples home came from others.

“I yelled at Jimmy and told him to slow down,” she said. “He said, ‘f… off Nikki. I can handle my drugs.”

Hours later, he was dead, and weeks later, Abraham was charged in connection with providing the drugs that led to his death.

In a deal with the state, she said she recently pleaded guilty to two of eight felony charges against her in connection with Wylie's death and separate unrelated drug arrests from Sept. 12, 2006, and Feb. 2, 2008.

The Bonners Ferry woman today, April 3, will head to Thunderbird Treatment Center in Seattle for six months as part of the plea agreement. When she completes the drug-treatment program, the 22-year-old faces sentencing in Boundary County.

Abraham said she understands she faces a two- to seven-year suspended prison sentence, which means she will not serve any jail time unless she breaks the law.

She originally faced more than 40 years in jail.

Abraham told The Herald she feels remorse for Wylie's death.

“I loved Jimmy with all my heart and every morning, every second of the day, I think about him,” she said. “I'm just going to try and get through this, but I will always remember Jimmy.”

The two dated for a year.

“We were very much in love,” she said.

On Dec. 8, 2006, Wylie was released from a 40-day treatment program in Spokane, Wash., for marijuana use. Abraham said she picked him up and took Wylie shopping for new clothes and shoes at NorthTown Mall in Spokane.

Then they went to her home on Highway 95. A welcome-home party was held two nights later.

“It was a long party - two days,” Abraham said. “I had a lot of friends come in and out. Jimmy was having a lot of fun snowboarding in the back yard.”

Abraham said Wylie was using ecstasy. It did not come from her, but his friends.

“I didn't have a leash on Jimmy,” she said.

As the party continued into the next day, Wylie fell asleep after being awake for about 24 hours, Abraham said.

“He got up a few hours later and grabbed a beer and I watched him start doing drugs (ecstasy) with friends,” she said.

That's when Abraham said she asked Wylie to lay off the drugs. When he told her to ‘f… off,' Abraham said she backed off.

When the party slowed, Wylie and Abraham headed to town for Chinese food. Wylie drove.

“When we got into town, he wanted more methadone,” Abraham said. “He went to this person's house and came back to the car. I couldn't see how much he bought.”

They returned to Abraham's home, where she, Wylie and others did the methadone.

After everyone left, the couple took a shower and passed out in their bed. When they awoke a few hours later, Wylie and Abraham got into an argument. She went to sleep on the couch.

When Abraham returned to the bedroom at about 4:30 a.m., she found Wylie sleeping on his stomach.

“I felt his back. It was cold. I screamed for my cousin to come to my room,” she said. “I couldn't find the phone (to call 911).”

Wylie was lying on a photo of the two of them at a party.

“I pulled it out and wondered ‘why the hell he was lying on the picture,'” Abraham said.

She found her phone and called 911, but knew it was too late.

“I knew in my heart that he was gone,” Abraham said. “He was really cold.”

“It was hard on me,” she continued. “I feel terrible for what happened. I wish I could take it back.”

When police charged Abraham in connection with Wylie's death, she said she couldn't believe it.

“I was his girlfriend, but I wouldn't give him any drugs to overdose,” Abraham said.

She said she opted for the plea agreement because she had a number of felony charges dropped.

“I am not guilty, but because of the plea bargain . . . ,” Abraham said. “It took me a long time to sign it. I was in tears.”

“I've learned about how easy it is to overdose,” she continued.