BISMARCK (AP) -- North Dakota authorities have issued an arrest warrant for a woman they claim told hospital staff that she tried to kill her husband by serving him enchiladas laced with a potentially dangerous medicine mixture.
A warrant on an attempted murder charge was issued for Judith Tosseth, 68, of Steele, who was admitted to St. Alexius Medical Center late last month for an undisclosed reason. Tosseth remained at the hospital Tuesday.
Tosseth's lawyer advised her not to speak with the media at this time, hospital spokeswoman Julie Skaret said Tuesday afternoon.
Tosseth told hospital staff that she tried killing her husband, 69-year-old Russell Tosseth, on Sept. 23 by mixing the sleep aid Ambien and a blood pressure medication into his food, according to the Kidder County Sheriff John Lemieux. Russell Tosseth initially complained of not feeling well but has since recovered, Lemieux said.
Russell Tosseth did not immediately respond to a phone message Tuesday seeking comment.
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Judith Tosseth allegedly told authorities she had dissolved the Ambien with metoprolol, a medication used to treat high blood pressure or chest pain, and put the mixture in her husband's enchiladas, the Bismarck Tribune reported. Bismarck pharmacist John Savageau said that in large enough doses, the two medications would be a "double whammy" that would reduce vital body functions such as heart rate and breathing.
Lemieux said authorities had not identified a possible motive for the alleged incident. County State's Attorney Eric Hetland did not immediately respond to a phone message Tuesday seeking comment.
The sheriff said the Tosseths moved to Steele about four years ago from the Bismarck area. He said authorities had never been called to their home for any reason.
"They kept to themselves, mainly," he said.
