In a shocking turn of events, a Florida teenager has been accused of poisoning his adoptive mother’s milk with bleach, according to police reports. The victim, a 77-year-old woman, became suspicious after noticing an “unusual odor” emanating from the milk she had poured from a gallon container into a glass. The arrest affidavit obtained by PEOPLE identified the suspect as Eduardo Espinal-Ramgewan, who now faces charges of attempted felony murder and aggravated abuse of an elderly person.
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Authorities were alerted to the incident on Saturday, April 19, around 11 a.m. local time when the victim reported that her son had attempted to poison her with Clorox at their Deltona home. Bodycam footage shared by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office on Facebook captured the victim recounting the harrowing incident, stating, “Yes, the milk. He put Clorox in the milk,” emphasizing that she was unable to consume it. She mentioned that she had only taken a small sip before realizing something was amiss.
Eduardo Espinal-Ramgewan, aged 17, was subsequently apprehended and now faces serious charges related to the alleged poisoning. The online activity report detailed the charges as poisoning, attempted felony murder, and aggravated abuse of an elderly person. In the footage, the victim described how she had discovered the bleach in the milk and expressed her shock at her son’s actions. The suspect was found hiding in a room with a dog before being taken into custody by law enforcement officers.
Following the incident, the victim was promptly taken to the hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. The online activity report also indicated that there was a history of domestic violence, with the suspect reportedly having a record of “battering” the victim. An investigation into the matter revealed a Clorox bleach bottle in the laundry room of the residence, with authorities noting its recent movement within the household.
The victim, who is the sole consumer of milk in the household, stated that the tainted milk had an “intense chemical taste” and a strong smell of bleach. The suspect allegedly admitted to police that he retrieved the bleach from the laundry room, opened the milk container, and poured the harmful substance into it with the intention of making his mother ill. He confessed to his actions, citing his anger towards the victim as the motive behind the poisoning attempt.
In a disturbing revelation, the victim’s other son informed authorities that the suspect had displayed aggressive behavior days prior to the incident, threatening their mother with violence. The victim had suspected her son’s involvement in the poisoning due to recent conflicts between them. The alarming case has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about domestic safety and elder abuse.
As the investigation unfolds, the teenage suspect remains in custody, awaiting further legal proceedings. The victim, who narrowly escaped harm in this terrifying episode, serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability faced by elderly individuals in instances of domestic turmoil. Authorities are working diligently to uncover the full extent of the circumstances surrounding this heinous act of attempted harm within a family setting.