North Carolina School Therapist Accused of Poisoning Her Ex-Husband and Tracking His Movements With a GPS Device
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – A 43-year-old school therapist in Charlotte has been charged with attempted murder and stalking after allegedly trying to poison her estranged husband and using a tracking device to monitor his movements, police said.
Police: Therapist Placed GPS Device on Ex’s Car
According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), Cheryl Gates, an employee with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) district, was arrested Friday following an investigation by the Domestic Violence Unit.
Court documents allege Gates “unlawfully and willfully harassed” her ex-husband “by placing a tracking device on his vehicle” on multiple occasions, causing him to fear for his safety and that of his family.
Detectives said the stalking and property damage incidents occurred off school property and did not involve any students or faculty.
Alleged Poisoning Attempt
Police said Gates also faces a felony count of contaminating food and drink to render a person mentally incapacitated or physically helpless.
While investigators have not specified the substance used, they believe Gates attempted to poison her ex-husband after several months of harassment.
An arrest affidavit reviewed by Law & Crime stated Gates is accused of “contaminating food and drink” in an effort to harm her estranged spouse. The specific chemical or method used has not been disclosed publicly.
Multiple Charges Filed
Gates now faces four charges in total:
- Attempted murder
- Contaminating food and drink
- Stalking
- Property damage
Police said she allegedly broke a window belonging to her ex-husband during one of the incidents.
She was initially booked on October 7 for stalking and property damage before being released. However, she was re-arrested three days later on the more serious charge of attempted murder.
School District Responds
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district confirmed Gates was employed as a pediatric therapist, but officials did not say whether she remains on staff.
“This incident occurred off school property and did not involve any student, teacher, or facility,” CMPD said in a statement.
One CMS parent told WSOC-TV the news came as a shock.
“It’s definitely surprising that somebody in that capacity — someone there to help others — would do something like this,” said Quemella Holland, whose child attends a CMS school.
Gates remained in the Mecklenburg County Jail as of Sunday, and police said the case is still under investigation.
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