Suburban Mother Accused of Trying to Kill Children by Poisoning Their Apple Juice

Krystle El Khatib of Schiller Park reportedly crushed up benzodiazepine pills before sprinkling the substance into apple juice and serving it to her 9-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter

A suburban Chicago mother has been accused of force-feeding her children poison-laced apple juice in an attempt to kill them, police said.

Officials said Krystle El Khatib of Schiller Park, Illinois, allegedly crushed up benzodiazepine pills before sprinkling the substance into apple juice and serving it to her 9-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter. Benzodiazepine is a drug used to treat anxiety.

The woman’s son told authorities he witnessed his mother putting the pills into a plastic bag and smashing them up, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors said she then brought her children two cups of juice each and demanded for them to drink both.

The boy told police he noticed white chunks in the bottom of the glasses. When he refused to drink the laced apple juice, the 29-year-old mother threated to strike him if he didn’t oblige, according to police.

That is when the boy texted his father, who immediately took them to the hospital, police said.

The woman appeared in court Thursday on attempted murder charges. A judge set her bond at $1.5 million, citing the age of the children and the nature of the allegations, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Authorities told the Tribune that El Khatib was angry at the children's father for not spending time with her and had complained about having to be home with her children. Authorities reportedly allege she sent a text to the father Saturday that read: "At least if I go to hell, I've already been there. The kids go to heaven. Peace from all."

It was not immedaitely clear if El Khatib had a lawyer.

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