20 January 2024 , 07:41
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A teacher has been accused of trying to poison her husband's smoothie with a deadly flower.
Sarah Scheffer, 37, from Missouri, was arrested after her husband recorded her allegedly adding the highly poisonous Lily of the Valley to his smoothie.
The husband suspected that she had been poisoning his food and drinks for weeks, as he had been experiencing strange symptoms. He described eight instances where he felt extremely tired, confused, and nauseous after consuming the food or drink she provided.
In a shocking turn of events, when confronted by her husband about a bitter-tasting beverage she gave him, Scheffer initially claimed she had urinated in it. She then confessed to spiking it with an "industrial state adhesive," before denying she put anything in it at all.
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Sarah Scheffer, 37, and her husband Matthew (Matthew Scheffer/Instagram)A woman was caught on a hidden camera by her husband, allegedly adding a poisonous plant to his smoothie. The plant, 'lily of the valley', can "slow down the heart and cause irregular heart rhythm", according to the National Capital Poison Centre.
The suspicious smoothie was taken by the police for testing. When questioned, the woman reportedly admitted to adding the dangerous flower to the drink "with the intent to cause the victim harm," and knew it could result in death.
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Jefferson City Police Department stated: "Authorities were notified by the victim that he believed a period of unexplained illnesses were in fact an intentional act of poisoning."
John Christman, Executive Director of the school where Sceffer worked (ABC News)The woman is currently being held at the Cole County jail without bond as police believe she may not appear in court.
Scheffer, who taught design and art at Calvary Lutheran High School in Jefferson City, is no longer listed on the school's website after her arrest. The school told ABC News that they've been informed by the cops about a "criminal matter pertaining to an employee" who is now on leave.
John Christman, the school's boss, said: "The alleged conduct was outside of the employee's association with the school and did not involve a student or any other school personnel."
He added: "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."
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