26-04-2025
Deltona teenager admits to trying to poison stepmom with bleach, affidavit states
A 77-year-old Deltona woman poured herself a glass of milk, took a sip and immediately smelled an unusual odor and sensed 'an intense chemical taste.'
It turns out the milk had been spiked with bleach. The culprit: her 17-year-old stepson, according to a charging affidavit from the Volusia Sheriff's Office.
The stepson was charged with attempted felony murder; aggravated abuse of an elderly person; and poisoning food or water, according to the affidavit.
Deputies found that the milk was bubbling when they checked the container.
And deputies located the 17-year-old hiding with a dog in a closet in the house on Brickell Drive.
The News-Journal is not publishing the teen's name, because he has not been charged as an adult.
The investigation began April 19 with a call from the 17-year-old's brother. Deputies responded to the home, where the brother told them his mother and brother had been 'feuding.'
He said the 17-year-old two days earlier had threatened to punch and break the stepmother's neck, according to the affidavits. The woman told deputies she was fearful when the teen lunged at her with a raised fist, the affidavit stated. The 17-year-old was charged with assault on a person 65 or older in that case.
The 17-year-old is 6-feet-tall and weighs 160 pounds, according to the affidavit.
The stepmother is the only person in the home who drinks milk. She told deputies she suspected the stepson poisoned the milk due to their recent conflicts.
She did not report immediate symptoms. Deltona Fire and Rescue transported her to a hospital.
Deputies checked the milk container, opened it and noticed it was bubbling and had a 'potent chemical odor' consistent with bleach, the affidavit stated.
Deputies found a bottle of Clorox bleach in the laundry room. A clear outline in the dust showed the bottle had been recently moved.
The label warned of the dangerous chemical, including that it was harmful if swallowed.
When deputies questioned the 17-year-old, he admitted to the deed, according to the affidavit. The teenager said he took the bleach from the laundry room, opened the milk container and poured the chemical into the milk, the affidavit stated.
He said he could not confirm the quantity but admitted knowing it could harm someone, the affidavit stated.
He said he was angry at the stepmother and he no longer wanted to live in the house the affidavit stated.
The 17-year-old said he intended to make the stepmother sick, according to the affidavit.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Deltona teen accused of trying to poison stepmom with bleach
