A Christian school teacher has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly poisoning her husband while he was having an affair – after she installed a hidden camera that recorded him adding a toxic plant to his smoothie, officials said.
Sarah Scheffer, 37, an art and design teacher at Calvary Lutheran High School in Missouri’s Jefferson County, was first charged last week with first-degree domestic assault after her husband told police she had been sick for about six weeks, police said.
He has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and armed criminal action, according to a probable cause statement seen by The Post.
“Authorities were informed by the victim that he believed the unexplained period of illness was actually an intentional act of poisoning,” Jefferson City police said.
The husband described “eight incidents” in which Scheffer “prepared drinks or food that had an odd taste and shortly after consumption he experienced extreme fatigue, confusion, blurred vision, severe cotton mouth and nausea,” the probable cause statement said.
Sarah Scheffer, 37, an art teacher in Missouri, was allegedly caught on video trying to poison her. Cole County Sheriff’s Office
He told authorities that the drink he gave him on Dec. 31 “had a bitter taste” — and when they asked about it, “he stated he urinated in it” and added “industrial strength adhesive” to it, according to the filing.
After Scheffer later denied adding anything to the smoothie, her husband installed a surveillance camera in the kitchen, where on January 16 “he observed a bag labeled ‘lily of the valley'” on the table.
Scheffer “admitted to adding plant roots to the blender while preparing the smoothie,” according to the probable cause statement.
Sarah Scheffer is a beloved teacher at her Christian school. Facebook / Sarah Schaefer
“The defendant admitted to doing this with the intention of causing injury to the victim,” he said, adding that he also admitted that he knew that swallowing the root could kill him.
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All parts of Lily of the Valley contain cardiac glycosides, which slow the heart and cause irregular rhythms, according to the National Capital Poison Center, which categorizes the plant as having major toxicity.
Scheffer said she was in a relationship with someone living in Pakistan and “had conducted a Google search for flights to Pakistan,” the probable cause statement said.
Calvary Lutheran High School said it was notified by police on Wednesday of a “criminal matter involving an employee” who had been placed on leave.
“The alleged conduct was outside of the employee’s association with the school and did not involve students or any other school personnel,” Calvary Lutheran Executive Director John Christman told ABC17 News in a statement.
“As a Christian community, Calvary Lutheran High School believes in protecting the well-being of all individuals who are a part of our program and we strive to respond in a caring and sensitive manner to everyone in our school community. With this, consistent action has been taken in response to the notification,” he added.
Scheffer teaches two classes at the school, where she is considered a part-time employee, Christman told the outlet.
Lily of the Valley contains cardiac glycosides, which slow the heart and cause irregular rhythms. aga7ta – stock.adobe.com
“He was a beloved teacher and did a great job of developing his students’ artistic skills,” she told NBC News on Friday.
“He is a very loved teacher in our school. We feel and have seen the results of his investment in students. He was able to encourage them to produce and always seemed to be engaged for all the right reasons,” he told the outlet.
Scheffer’s father said the accusations came “out of the blue” and did not match the daughter he knew – a beloved artist and teacher who volunteered to raise money for Third World health efforts.
“He is a good person. I don’t think she can do this, but I think it just needs to be talked about,” Marcus Blaskie told NBC News about his daughter.
Scheffer is being held on a no-bond arrest warrant in the Cole County Jail. No hearing had been set in the case as of Monday morning.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
