Missouri teacher accused of trying to poison husband with lily of the valley in smoothie

A Missouri teacher accused of poisoning her husband has been charged with attempted murder, authorities say.

The woman has been identified as 37-year-old Sarah Scheffer, according to CBS affiliate KRCG. She is a part-time art and design teacher at Calvary Lutheran High School in Jefferson City, Missouri, according to the school’s website.

The Jefferson County Police Department said in a statement that its officers investigated a call "involving allegations of intentional poisoning of a spouse," on Jan. 16. The victim told officers that he believed his unexplained illness was the result of an intentional act of poisoning.

According to court documents received by KRCG, the man said he was suspicious of his wife and thought she had been putting substances in his food and drinks for about six weeks. He experienced symptoms of blurred vision, confusion, dry mouth, fatigue, and nausea. 

The victim told police that he saw a bag labeled "Lily of the Valley" on a table in their home. The man showed police a photo of the bag and a green bowl. A video then showed his wife making a smoothie using the roots that were in the bag. The man brought the smoothie to law enforcement. It was then submitted for testing, according to a report by KRCG. 

"I mean if you eat enough of that in a short period of time you can see signs relatively quickly," said Tim Evans, veterinary toxicologist at University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in an interview with KMIZ. "But it all depends on what part of the plant and how much of it is consumed."

According to Evans, the most toxic part of the lily of the valley plant are the roots.

Police said in the press release that a "search of a national poison control center indicated all parts of the substance used contain numerous cardiac glycosides, which slow down the heart and cause irregular heart rhythm." The release also notes that toxicity signs of cardiac glycosides may cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

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The Jefferson County Police Department located Sarah Scheffer, wife of the victim, and brought her in for an interview.

During the interview, Scheffer admitted to putting Lily of the Valley in her husband's food. In addition, she was aware of the substance potential to cause death or a serious illness, police said.

Scheffer is a teacher at a Christian school, and she has now been placed on leave, the school said in a statement.

"This afternoon, Calvary Lutheran High School was notified by JCPD of a criminal matter pertaining to an employee,” the school’s Executive Director, John Christman, said in a statement to KMIZ. “The alleged conduct was outside of the employee’s association with the school and did not involve a student or any other school personnel. 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.”

Scheffer is charged with first-degree attempted murder and armed criminal action, court records show.

According to the Jefferson County Police Department, Scheffer is currently being held in Cole County Jail.