By VDC staff

A woman who admitted using heroin within 24 hours of a 2022 crash that killed two Northeast Kingdom high school students has admitted to more probation violations, including drug-related misconduct.

Katelyn Deslandes, 28, appeared Monday, October 19, in Orleans Superior Court, where she admitted violating probation conditions in August and September. She is being held at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility pending sentencing January 4, 2027, according to an October 20 report in the Caledonian-Record.

Deslandes was driving on Route 105 in Charleston on February 16, 2022, when her vehicle crossed the center line and struck an oncoming car, killing two 18-year-olds: Taylor Warren of Lunenburg, a Lyndon Institute student, and Logan Cota of Charleston, a North Country Union High School student.

Deslandes initially faced two felony counts of gross negligent operation with death resulting. However, prosecutors reduced the charges to misdemeanors because they could not prove she was impaired by drugs or alcohol when the crash occurred.

At her arraignment, then-Orleans State’s Attorney Jennifer Barrett said Deslandes had acknowledged using heroin shortly before the fatal crash.

“She admitted to consuming heroin within 24 hours of the crash, although we don’t know if she was under the influence of heroin at the time of the crash,” Barrett said.

In January 2024, Deslandes received a sentence of four months in jail and three years of probation, with conditions requiring her to remain sober.

But her problems with probation continued.

In May 2025, she was sentenced for four probation violations involving continued drug use and failure to participate in required treatment. She served several more months in jail and received an additional year of probation.

In August 2026, Deslandes denied a fifth violation. A sixth violation followed in September after she was discharged from a residential drug treatment program.

According to probation officer Brendan Curtis, Deslandes tested positive for THC upon entering the sober living facility. During her first three days, staff also reported curfew violations, unauthorized visitors, admitted drug use and complaints that she had stolen from other residents.

Deslandes admitted the August and September violations at Monday’s hearing.

The latest violations come more than four years after the crash that claimed the lives of Warren and Cota.