Chicago area mom accused of drugging kids' apple juice

SCHILLER PARK, Ill. -- A mother in northwest suburbs of Chicago is accused of drugging her children by spiking their apple juice with prescription drugs.

Krystale El Khatib, 29, is charged with attempted murder. Authorities say she allegedly ground up prescription anti-anxiety pills, put the powder in apple juice and forced her two children to drink it.

"One of the children indicated that he observed mom crushing the pills into a powder form, and put in a substance, and forcing them to drink it with their juice," said Schiller Park Police Chief Anthony Brzezniak.

El Khatib allegedly took some of the drugs herself, apparently intent on committing suicide. With his mother passed out in their apartment, a 9-year-old boy was able to text his father that he and his 4-year-old sister were sick and needed help.

When doctors at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital spoke to the children about what happened, they called police to check on the mother and she was transported to another hospital.

Police say El Khatib has no criminal history. She reportedly told a social worker there, "I brought the children into this world and I can take them out of it."

Police say she was upset at the children's father because he was not spending time with her. She reportedly threatened to harm the children several days earlier in a conversation with the father.

Schiller Park police say they have a videotaped confession. El Khatib is being held on a $1.5 million bond.

The children are now with their father in a nearby suburb.