JEFFERSON CITY, MO – An art teacher from Missouri finds herself on the wrong side of the law, accused of attempting to poison her husband, as revealed in court documents.
Sarah Scheffer, 37, is facing charges of first-degree attempted murder and armed criminal action, following a felony complaint in Cole County Circuit Court on Wednesday.
The husband, who remains unnamed, reported experiencing severe symptoms like extreme fatigue, confusion, blurred vision, dry mouth, and nausea on multiple occasions after consuming meals or beverages prepared by Scheffer, according to a probable cause statement from the Jefferson City Police Department.
The husband confronted Scheffer after detecting an odd bitter taste in a drink she served him on New Year’s Day. Scheffer initially confessed to contaminating the drink with her urine and later with a potent adhesive, but later denied any wrongdoing. This prompted the husband to install a surveillance camera in their kitchen.
On Tuesday, the husband found a bowl with a root labeled “lily of the field” on Scheffer’s desk. Surveillance footage later showed Scheffer adding the root to a blender while making a smoothie.
When confronted by the police with the video evidence, Scheffer reportedly admitted to adding lily of the valley, a plant known for its toxic properties that can drastically affect heart rate or rhythm, into her husband’s drink.
The Jefferson City Police Department sent the blender’s contents for testing. Scheffer is currently being held at Cole County Jail without bail, awaiting her court date.
Scheffer’s employer, a local high school, was informed of the criminal charges against her. The school’s executive director stated that the alleged actions were not connected to Scheffer’s role at the school and did not involve any students or staff.
Scheffer remains in Cole County Jail without the possibility of bail. Her court date is still to be determined, and it is unclear if she has legal representation.