A North Carolina-based school therapist, Cheryl Harris Gates, 43, has been apprehended by authorities on charges of allegedly poisoning her husband’s energy drink. The arrest warrant revealed that Gates had reportedly laced her husband’s Celsius energy drink with prescription drugs, intending to induce a blackout or incapacitation.
The authorities’ investigation revealed that Gates had been using ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence program, to research lethal and incapacitating drug combinations between July 8 and September 29. These combinations could be either injected or ingested. The evidence of her research, purchase of materials, and attempted execution of the plan was found in her online records, according to court documents.
The authorities discovered syringes, a capsule filling kit, medical droppers, scales, medications, and other evidence in her workspace at her residence. Her husband, the victim, reported two instances of incapacitation and the presence of a foreign, controlled substance in his drink on July 12 and August 18. At the time of these incidents, the couple was not living together.
Gates is an occupational therapist at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. However, the webpage detailing her role at the school has since been removed. The school district has not responded to requests for comment.
Gates is currently facing charges of attempted first-degree murder and contaminating food or drink with the intent to cause harm. In addition to these charges, Gates was arrested last Tuesday on charges of stalking and property damage. She allegedly placed a tracking device on her husband’s vehicle and damaged his property’s window.
After her first arrest, Gates was released from Mecklenburg County Jail. However, she was denied bond after her second arrest. Parents of students at the school where Gates worked expressed their concern, with one parent stating that Gates should never have been allowed to work with children and called for better background checks.