Charlotte, North Carolina, October 15, 2025

News Summary

Cheryl Harris Gates, a pediatric occupational therapist in Charlotte, faces attempted murder charges for allegedly attempting to poison her husband. Authorities claim she spiked his energy drink with prescription drugs and researched lethal combinations online. Gates has been detained without bond and was previously arrested for stalking and property damage. The case has caused alarm among parents in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district, prompting calls for better background checks for employees. The investigation is ongoing, with further court dates scheduled.

Charlotte, North Carolina – School Therapist Faces Attempted Murder Charges

Cheryl Harris Gates, a 43-year-old pediatric occupational therapist employed with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly attempting to poison her husband by spiking his energy drink with prescription drugs. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has also brought additional charges against Gates, including contaminating food or drink to render one mentally incapacitated or physically helpless, stalking, and damage to property.

According to police reports, Gates allegedly added prescription medications to her husband’s Celsius energy drink. Evidence suggests she used online resources, specifically ChatGPT, between July 8 and September 29 to research lethal or incapacitating drug combinations as well as the effects of poisons such as oleander, ricin, and foxglove.

Her husband reported signs of poisoning on two separate occasions—July 12 and August 18—with allegations that she administered the drugs without his knowledge or consent. During a subsequent investigation, authorities discovered numerous items in Gates’ home, including syringes, a capsule filling kit, medical droppers, scales, and various medications, which raised further concerns regarding her actions.

The alleged incidents occurred off school property, with police stressing that no students, teachers, or faculty members were involved. Gates was first arrested on October 7 for stalking and damage to property but was promptly released. However, she was arrested again on October 10 when more serious charges came to light. Gates has been denied bond and is presently in custody, with a court appearance scheduled for October 30.

Gates has experienced significant disruptions in her professional life due to these allegations. A webpage detailing her role at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has since been taken down, and she has been placed on paid suspension. The therapist worked primarily with students facing sensory processing challenges, handwriting difficulties, and executive functioning disorders.

Parents in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School district have expressed shock and concern regarding Gates’ alleged actions, calling for enhanced background checks for employees working with children. Reports also indicate that Gates was involved in stalking her husband, which included breaking his window and placing a tracking device on his vehicle.

The investigation by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department remains ongoing, and tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers as authorities continue to uncover more details related to the case.

Key Details of the Case

• Charges: Attempted murder, contaminating food or drink, stalking, damage to property
• Victim: Husband of Cheryl Harris Gates
• Key Evidence: Prescription drugs found in energy drink, investigation findings
• Police Actions: Arrested on October 7 and again on October 10
• Current Status: Denied bond, in custody
• Next Court Date: October 30
• Employment: Pediatric occupational therapist for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
• Community Reaction: Calls for better background checks from concerned parents

FAQs

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Charlotte Occupational Therapist Charged with Attempted Murder
Pediatric Occupational Therapist Charged with Attempted Murder
Charlotte School Employee Charged with Attempted Murder
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Employee Arrested on Serious Charges

Additional Resources

• CBS News
• WXII 12 News
• WBTV News
• People
• Suggest
• Wikipedia: Attempted Murder
• Google Search: Cheryl Harris Gates
• Google Scholar: Attempted Murder
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Attempted Murder
• Google News: Charlotte North Carolina therapist arrest

Author: HERE Charlotte

The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.