Columbus, Ohio — An Ohio mother accused of contaminating her hospitalized child’s IV line with fecal matter has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child endangerment, bringing a major development in a case that drew widespread attention after hospital staff reported witnessing the alleged acts on surveillance video.
The guilty plea resolves the criminal case without a trial, although court-ordered supervision and restrictions remain in place.
Mother Enters Guilty Plea in Child Endangerment Case
According to court records, Tiffany M. Le Sueur, 35, entered a guilty plea on Thursday, Aug. 5, to a misdemeanor child endangerment charge.
As part of her sentence, the court placed her on probation. She is also expected to return to court for a follow-up hearing in April 2027.
The plea follows allegations stemming from incidents that occurred while her child was receiving treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
Hospital Staff Reported Suspicious Activity
The investigation began after hospital employees reviewing surveillance footage on Feb. 6 noticed what they believed was unusual activity involving the child’s IV port.
According to a criminal complaint, staff allegedly observed Le Sueur injecting a foreign substance into the child’s IV line.
As they reviewed additional recordings, investigators said the footage appeared to show her leaving a restroom carrying a cup, then placing what authorities believed was fecal matter into a syringe before injecting it into the IV port.
Hospital personnel immediately notified law enforcement after identifying the alleged conduct.
Investigators Allege Second Incident Occurred Days Later
Following the initial report, authorities said hospital staff implemented additional monitoring measures during Le Sueur’s future visits to help protect the child.
However, investigators allege that two days later, surveillance cameras again captured her entering a bathroom with a cup before returning to the child’s room and using a syringe on the IV line.
Police responded to the hospital, where Le Sueur was detained while medical staff immediately treated the child as a precaution. Officials have not publicly disclosed the child’s medical condition or provided additional details regarding the child’s recovery.
Arrest Led to Restrictions on Contact With Children
Le Sueur was arrested on Feb. 9 and initially charged with child endangerment, including allegations involving torture and cruel abuse, according to earlier court records.
Following her arrest, a judge ordered that she stay away from her child and prohibited her from having unsupervised contact with any minors while the case proceeded through the court system.
Those protective measures were designed to safeguard the child during the criminal proceedings.
Case Concludes With Probation Instead of Trial
By pleading guilty, Le Sueur avoided a trial in the case, and the court imposed probation as part of the sentence. The court has scheduled a follow-up hearing for April 2027 to review compliance with the terms of her probation.
Authorities have not released additional information regarding the child or indicated whether any related legal proceedings involving custody or family court remain pending.
The case remains one of the more unusual child endangerment investigations handled by authorities in central Ohio, with hospital surveillance footage playing a central role in the investigation.
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