A North Carolina school therapist has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly spiking her husband’s energy drink with prescription medications.
Cheryl Harris Gates, 42, who works as an occupational therapist for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, was arrested on Friday, Oct. 10. She faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, stalking, contaminating food or drink to incapacitate someone, and damage to property.
According to an arrest warrant obtained by PEOPLE, Gates allegedly used ChatGPT between July 8 and Sept. 29 to research lethal drug combinations and the effects of poisons such as oleander, ricin, and foxglove. Investigators said the husband provided evidence of a foreign controlled substance in his beverage on July 12 and Aug. 18.
Authorities also seized syringes, a capsule-filling kit, medical droppers, scales, and medications from Gates’ home workspace. The couple were reportedly not living together at the time of the alleged incidents.
Local parents expressed shock over the allegations. “It’s definitely surprising that somebody in that capacity that is there to help others would do something like that,” said Quemella Holland. Another parent, Laurie Leebrick, added, “She never should have been around kids at all.”
