Mom Admits Poisoning Her Disabled Baby With Hand Sanitizer
A mom has admitted to poisoning her disabled baby with hand sanitizer. Erika Wigstrom, age 20, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 17-month-old son. Wigstrom insists she was simply trying to end the infant’s suffering, as Lucas Ruiz was born with Down syndrome.
Authorities said Wigstrom admitted poured alcohol-based hand sanitizer and perfume in her baby’s feeding tube on more than one occasion.
On January 24, the suspect called 911 to report that her son was ill. The Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the home and found Lucas unresponsive. The infant was transported to New Orleans Children’s Hospital. however, he was pronounced dead on arrival.
An autopsy, conducted by the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office, revealed the infant’s blood alcohol level was 0.280. His cause of death was determined to be acute ethanol intoxication.
Lucas had numerous medical issues related to Down syndrome. As he was born with three holes in his heart, he had multiple surgeries during his short life. Wigstrom said she fed the baby hand sanitizer to end his suffering.
During their investigation, authorities made a startling discovery. In October, 2012, Lucas was poisoned in a similar way. Doctors at the Ochsner Hospital conducted numerous tests, as the infant was having unexplained seizures. Blood tests eventually revealed that Lucas’ blood alcohol content was 0.289.
Hospital employees contacted authorities, who charged the infant’s father, Cesar Ruiz, with cruelty to a juvenile. Ruiz later claimed he poured rum into Lucas’ feeding tube in an effort to end his life. As the case is still pending, Ruiz remains incarcerated in the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.
Following her recent arrest, Wigstrom eventually admitted that Ruiz had nothing to do with the 2012 poisoning. During questioning, she said that she poured perfume in Lucas’ feeding tube “over a period of days.”
As reported by HLN, authorities are unsure what motivated her to confess to the 2012 crime. Jefferson Parish Col. John N. Fortunato discusses the unusual confession:
“We don’t know what her reasoning was for saying she did it… Whatever her claims are involving this incident, she certainly will have her day in court just like her husband will.”
Wigstrom was charged with first-degree murder. She is currently being held without bond at the Belle Chase jail. Her case will be presented to the grand jury during their next session.
Although she requested a public defender, Wigstonm already admitted poisoning her baby with hand sanitizer. However, she insists she was trying to end her child’s suffering.
[Images via WWLTV]
