Current:Home > FinanceMissouri teacher accused of trying to poison husband with lily of the valley in smoothie -Mastery Money Tools
Missouri teacher accused of trying to poison husband with lily of the valley in smoothie
View
Date:2025-04-15 21:29:36
A Missouri teacher accused of poisoning her husband has been charged with attempted murder, authorities say.
The woman has been identified as 37-year-old Sarah Scheffer, according to CBS affiliate KRCG. She is a part-time art and design teacher at Calvary Lutheran High School in Jefferson City, Missouri, according to the school’s website.
The Jefferson County Police Department said in a statement that its officers investigated a call "involving allegations of intentional poisoning of a spouse," on Jan. 16. The victim told officers that he believed his unexplained illness was the result of an intentional act of poisoning.
According to court documents received by KRCG, the man said he was suspicious of his wife and thought she had been putting substances in his food and drinks for about six weeks. He experienced symptoms of blurred vision, confusion, dry mouth, fatigue, and nausea.
The victim told police that he saw a bag labeled "Lily of the Valley" on a table in their home. The man showed police a photo of the bag and a green bowl. A video then showed his wife making a smoothie using the roots that were in the bag. The man brought the smoothie to law enforcement. It was then submitted for testing, according to a report by KRCG.
"I mean if you eat enough of that in a short period of time you can see signs relatively quickly," said Tim Evans, veterinary toxicologist at University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in an interview with KMIZ. "But it all depends on what part of the plant and how much of it is consumed."
According to Evans, the most toxic part of the lily of the valley plant are the roots.
Police said in the press release that a "search of a national poison control center indicated all parts of the substance used contain numerous cardiac glycosides, which slow down the heart and cause irregular heart rhythm." The release also notes that toxicity signs of cardiac glycosides may cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Wife accused of poisoning husband:Under the direction of soap star impersonator
Teacher, wife charged with attempted murder
The Jefferson County Police Department located Sarah Scheffer, wife of the victim, and brought her in for an interview.
During the interview, Scheffer admitted to putting Lily of the Valley in her husband's food. In addition, she was aware of the substance potential to cause death or a serious illness, police said.
Scheffer is a teacher at a Christian school, and she has now been placed on leave, the school said in a statement.
"This afternoon, Calvary Lutheran High School was notified by JCPD of a criminal matter pertaining to an employee,” the school’s Executive Director, John Christman, said in a statement to KMIZ. “The alleged conduct was outside of the employee’s association with the school and did not involve a student or any other school personnel. As a Christian community, Calvary Lutheran High School believes in protecting the well-being of all individuals who are part of our programs and we seek to respond in a caring and sensitive manner to everyone in our school community.”
Scheffer is charged with first-degree attempted murder and armed criminal action, court records show.
According to the Jefferson County Police Department, Scheffer is currently being held in Cole County Jail.
veryGood! (31621)
Related
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Foster children deprived of benefits: How a loophole affects the most vulnerable
- UConn or Purdue? NCAA Tournament title game picks for for final game of March Madness
- Two years after its historic win, a divided Amazon Labor Union lurches toward a leadership election
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Trump campaign says it raised $50.5 million at Florida fundraiser
- Jelly Roll's private plane makes emergency landing on way to CMT Awards: 'That was scary'
- 2024 CMT Music Awards: See All the Country Stars on the Red Carpet
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Influencer Jackie Miller James Introduces Fans to Her Baby Girl Amid Aneurysm Recovery
Ranking
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- Drake Bell Reacts to Boy Meets World Actor Will Friedle's Past Support of Brian Peck
- How many men's Final Fours has UConn made? Huskies' March Madness history
- Solar eclipse: NSYNC's Lance Bass explains how not to say 'bye bye bye to your vision'
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- 2044 solar eclipse path: See where in US totality hits in next eclipse
- 2024 CMT Music Awards: See All the Country Stars on the Red Carpet
- Trial to begin against railroad over deaths in Montana town where thousands were exposed to asbestos
Recommendation
Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
Jelly Roll's private plane makes emergency landing on way to CMT Awards: 'That was scary'
Why Brandi Cyrus Says Mom Tish Cyrus Is in Her Unapologetic Era
Solar eclipse 2024 live updates: See latest weather forecast, what time it hits your area
Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
Story finished: Cody Rhodes wins Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
Former gas station chain owner gets Trump endorsement in Wisconsin congressional race
Toby Keith's Children Make Rare Red Carpet Appearance at 2024 CMT Awards 2 Months After His Death