CRIME
High School Teacher Arrested For Allegedly Trying To Poison Husband Over Several Weeks
Jefferson City Police Department
A high school art teacher in Missouri has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly sneaking poison into her husband’s food and drinks for several weeks, authorities said.
The Jefferson City Police Department said it began investigating Tuesday after a man called about his suspicion that a period of unexplained illnesses were in fact an intentional act of poisoning.
After her arrest, Sarah Scheffer, 37, allegedly admitted during a police interview that she had added items to her husband’s food knowing it could cause illness or death, police said.
According to a probable cause statement, the husband began experiencing “extreme fatigue, confusion, blurred vision, severe cotton mouth and nausea” after eating or drinking on several occasions.
He confronted Scheffer with his suspicions on Jan. 1 when she allegedly presented him with a bitter drink. She allegedly told him she had urinated in it, then said she used industrial adhesive. The victim then installed a home surveillance camera in the kitchen.
On Tuesday morning, the victim allegedly found a container labeled lily of the field in Scheffer’s work area at their home. The camera allegedly captured her pouring the contents of the bowl into a smoothie prepared for the victim.
Lily of the Valley is toxic, particularly the roots. Police said the substance contains numerous cardiac glycosides, which slow down the heart and cause irregular heart rhythm. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, police said.
Scheffer is a design and art teacher at Calvary Lutheran High School, which said in a statement to KMIZ that she has been placed on leave.
This afternoon, Calvary Lutheran High School was notified by JCPD of a criminal matter pertaining to an employee. The alleged conduct was outside of the employees association with the school and did not involve a student or any other school personnel, Calvary Lutheran Executive Director John Christman said in the statement to KMIZ Wednesday.
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, Christman said. With this in mind, consistent action has been taken in response to the notification, including the employee being placed on leave.
Scheffer was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Cole County Jail. She is facing charges of attempted murder and armed criminal action.
TMX contributed to this article.
