A Christian school teacher has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly poisoning her husband during an affair. Her husband set up a hidden camera on her and recorded her putting poisonous plants in her smoothies, authorities said.
Sarah Schaeffer, 37, an art and design teacher at Calvary Lutheran High School in Jefferson County, Missouri, was charged with first-degree domestic assault last week after telling police her husband had been sick for about six weeks. He was first indicted on suspicion. the police said.
She has since been charged with attempted first-degree murder and armed criminal action, according to a probable cause statement seen by the newspaper.
“Authorities received a tip from the victim who believed that the unexplained illness was actually an intentional act of poisoning,” the Jefferson City Police Department said in a statement.
The husband described “eight incidents” in which Schaefer “provided him with strange-tasting drinks and food, and immediately after ingesting them, he experienced extreme fatigue, confusion, blurred vision, severe cotton mouth, and nausea.” says the probable cause statement.
He told authorities that the drink she gave him on Dec. 31 “tasted bitter,” and when asked about it, he “said he urinated in it,” and added, “Industrial-strength He reportedly stated that he had added “adhesive''. filing.
Schaefer later denied adding anything to the smoothie, but her husband installed a surveillance camera in the kitchen and on January 16th, she said, “I saw a bag with the word “lily of the valley'' written on it on the table.'' “I did.”
According to the probable cause statement, Schaefer “admitted to putting plant roots in the blender while making the smoothie.”
“The defendant admitted that he did so with the intention of causing harm to the victim,” it said, adding that he also acknowledged knowing that ingesting the roots could cause death.
According to the National Capital Poison Center, all parts of lily of the valley contain cardiac glycosides, which slow down the heart and cause irregular rhythms. The center classifies the plant as seriously toxic.
Schaeffer is in a relationship with a man who lives in Pakistan and “had previously searched Google for flights to Pakistan,” the probable cause statement said.
Calvary Lutheran High School announced Wednesday that the school was placed on administrative leave after police received a report of a “criminal incident involving an employee.”
“The alleged conduct was outside the scope of the employee's relationship with the school and did not involve students or other school personnel,” said Calvary Lutheran Executive Director John Christman. told ABC17 News In a statement.
“As a Christian community, Calvary Lutheran High School believes in the well-being of all who participate in our programs and strives to treat everyone in our school community with compassion and sensitivity. Keeping this in mind, consistent measures are being taken in response to notifications,” he added.
Schaefer taught two classes at the school, where he was considered a part-time employee, Christman said.
“She was a beloved teacher and did a great job of developing the artistic skills of her students.” he told NBC News on friday.
“She was a much-loved teacher at our school. We have felt and seen the fruits of her investment in her students. She was able to encourage them to create and “He always seemed to be passionate about the right causes,” he told the outlet.
Schaeffer's father said the accusations were completely “out of the blue” and did not match the daughter he knew. Schaefer is a popular artist and teacher who volunteers her time raising money for third world health causes.
“She's a decent person. I don't think she could have done that, but we'll only find out in court,” Marcus Blaskey told NBC News about his daughter.
Mr. Schaeffer is being held in the Cole County Jail on a no-bail arrest warrant. No hearing has been set in the case as of Monday morning.
