A Bexar County woman is behind bars after deputies say she concocted a hazardous drink and instructed her son to give it to his classmate, leading to the child's hospitalization. Jennifer Lynn Rossi, 45, was arrested and charged with injury to a child causing bodily injury, according to Bexar County Jail records.
The incident unfolded at the Legacy Traditional School in Alamo Ranch. An affidavit claims Rossi created a mix of lemon juice, salt, vinegar, and Gatorade and gave it to her 10-year-old son to take to school. After drinking the concoction, the recipient, a fellow student, began to suffer nausea and a headache, as reported by KSAT.
Rossi's son told authorities his mother made the drink. Rossi explained her actions to deputies and the school principal by stating she only did it to stop the bullies at her son's school, who had stolen her son's Prime energy drink the day prior, the affidavit states.
The sickened student required additional medical attention before being discharged from the hospital. Detectives learned that Rossi, who claimed to be a nurse, had intentionally mixed the nontoxic ingredients into the bottle to prevent it from being stolen, according to Express News. Her bail was set at $1,000.
Rossi's case has raised concerns about the lengths to which parents will go to protect their children from school-related issues like bullying and theft. As further details emerge, Rossi could face additional scrutiny from both the legal system and community members troubled by her decision to involve her son in the ordeal.
