Crime & Safety
Trial Begins for Mom Who Is Accused of Poisoning her Daughter
Trial began Friday with jury selection, opening statements expected for Monday afternoon
The trial for Erin Hendrix, with lead nitrate, began Friday with jury selection.
The jury pool was winnowed from from 146 to 45 people Friday. Lake County Common Pleas Judge Eugene Lucci said he hoped to finish jury selection Monday morning and proceed with opening statements in the afternoon.
Hendrix, 28, of Mentor, is suspected of mixing lead nitrate with her infant's food and drink. She faces 22 charges, including attempted aggravated murder, endangering children and contaminating a substance for human consumption or use.
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According to the indictment against Hendrix, her child was 5 months old when she started poisoning her and it continued for 17 months.
The poisonings started in Belmont County and continued in Cuyahoga and Lake counties after the family moved to Northeast Ohio, according to the indictment.
The victim is 3 years old and has been in the custody of Lake County Job and Family Services since July 2009.
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