Missouri Teacher Arrested for Attempted Murder After Allegedly Poisoning Her Husband
A Missouri woman, identified as 37-year-old Sarah Scheffer, is facing charges of attempted murder following accusations of intentionally poisoning her husband, according to CBS News.
The Jefferson County Police Department revealed the charges on Wednesday after investigating a call on January 16, which involved allegations of spousal poisoning.
The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, reported to officers that he believed his unexplained illness was a result of deliberate poisoning by his wife.
Court documents, as reviewed by CBS affiliate KRCG, indicate that the man suspected his wife of putting substances in his food and drinks over approximately six weeks.
He experienced symptoms such as fatigue, confusion, blurred vision, dry mouth, and nausea.
The victim also informed the police about a bag labeled "Lily of the Valley" and a green bowl containing a root from that bag, which he observed in their home.
Providing photographic evidence, the man alleged that Scheffer used the contents of the green bowl to prepare a smoothie, which he subsequently submitted to law enforcement for testing at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Laboratory.
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Missouri Teacher Caught on Act
According to the probable cause statement, the victim described eight instances where Scheffer provided beverages or food with an unusual taste, leading to severe health issues shortly after ingestion.
The Missouri teacher's husband confronted her on January 1 after receiving a beverage with a bitter taste, per ABC News.
The probable cause statement alleges that Scheffer initially confessed to urinating in the beverage, then changed her story, admitting to adding an industrial-strength adhesive before ultimately denying any tampering.
The husband installed a hidden surveillance camera in response to the escalating suspicion.
The footage captured Scheffer making a smoothie for him, incorporating contents from the green bowl, which reportedly contained a root from the "Lily of the Valley" bag.
Upon presenting the surveillance video to the police, Scheffer allegedly confessed to intentionally poisoning her husband.
The probable cause statement quotes her admitting to adding the root of the "Lily of the Valley" into the blender with the intent to cause harm.
She acknowledged awareness that ingesting "Lily of the Valley" could result in death and recognized the illegality of her actions.
Law enforcement officers from the Jefferson City Police Department sent the blender's contents for testing to verify the presence of harmful substances.
Professional Consequences Following Attempted Murder
Calvary Lutheran High School, where Scheffer worked as an art and design teacher, responded to the situation by placing her on leave following her arrest, Fox News reports.
The school's executive director emphasized that the alleged conduct was unrelated to the employee's association with the school and did not involve students or other school personnel.
"This afternoon, Calvary Lutheran High School was notified by JCPD of a criminal matter about an employee," the executive director stated. "The alleged conduct was outside the employee's association with the school and did not involve a student or any other school personnel."
Scheffer has been remanded to Cole County Jail without bond, and her court date is pending scheduling by Cole County Circuit Court.
As of now, it remains unclear whether the Missouri teacher has retained legal representation.
The seriousness of the attempted murder charges underscores the gravity of the allegations against Scheffer as the legal process unfolds.
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Written by: Bert Hoover
WATCH: Teacher in Jefferson City charged with attempted murder for husband's alleged poisoning - From KMIZ ABC 17 News