Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Poison Suspect Released

A 15-year-old boy accused of poisoning a Littlerock teacher by pouring cleaning fluid in her can of soda was released from custody Monday, but was ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device.

The youth, whose name was not released because of his age, had been in custody since his arrest on April 12. The high school sophomore will remain free on electronic surveillance pending the outcome of his trial on two felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon.

The trial had been slated to begin Monday but was postponed to give prosecutors and defense attorneys more time to prepare. The trial has been rescheduled to start June 6.

Littlerock High School teacher Susan Ennis became violently ill last month after drinking the contaminated can of Diet Pepsi laced with several drops of cleaning fluid. Ennis was hospitalized for six days immediately after the incident.

The 32-year-old teacher entered the hospital again last week with pneumonia. Ennis said her doctors told her the pneumonia was probably related to the poisoning.

“It was probably caused by aspirating, I was vomiting so much,” Ennis said during a telephone interview from her Palmdale hospital bed.

Ennis, who was released Monday afternoon, was reluctant to discuss her feelings about the release of the student accused of poisoning her.

“I have no control over the fact he’s been released,” she said, adding that she believes it is good he will be monitored. “I would like to see that he not hurt anyone else.”

Los Angeles County probation officials said it is uncommon for a judge to order a juvenile to be electronically monitored.

“We could have argued he should have stayed in custody another seven days,” said Andy Reynolds, deputy district attorney. “But you can’t hold him indefinitely. He’s not a danger to the community.”

Superior Court referee Eugene E. Siegel ordered the boy released from Sylmar Juvenile Hall Monday. The youth will wear an electronic surveillance band on his ankle and remain at home unless he has the permission of probation officials to go out. The youth must be accompanied by his parents if he does leave the home.

The boy’s father declined to comment on his son’s release or on the case.

Ronald V. Taylor, the boy’s attorney, said the family is happy about the release.

The youth “continues to deny any participation” in the poisoning, Taylor said, noting the boy will probably not return to Littlerock High while he is being monitored but will instead receive home instruction.

The boy faces charges of adulterating a beverage and assault with a deadly weapon. If convicted of both felonies, he could face up to eight years in custody.

Ennis said what she wants most is for whoever is guilty to learn compassion.

“I think the best sentence would be for him to have to spend a year cleaning up animals who have been poisoned by toxic waste or toxic spills,” she said.

Besides the physical effects of the poisoning, Ennis said she and her three children, ages 2, 5 and 11, have suffered emotional trauma.

“My children are in therapy,” she said. “It’s been very hard on them. I’ve been seeing (a therapist), of course.”

Despite the ordeal, Ennis said she plans to return to her teaching job as soon as her doctors allow her to. So far, however, “my doctors tell me they don’t know when that will be.”