A woman is accused of injecting what staff believed was human waste into her child’s IV while the child was hospitalized at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, leading to her arrest and felony charges, authorities said.
Investigators say the allegation surfaced after hospital employees reported seeing the woman inject an unknown substance into an IV line and then reviewed surveillance video that they say backed up their concerns. The case has drawn attention because it involves alleged harm inside a hospital setting and because the child was admitted for suspected abuse, according to prosecutors. The woman, Tiffany Le Sueur, has been charged with endangering children, and in some filings and reports, additional allegations are described as torture or cruelty, authorities said.
According to a criminal complaint described in court records and media reports, the first incident happened Feb. 6, when staff said they saw Le Sueur inject a “foreign substance” into her child’s IV. Hospital staff alerted law enforcement and said future visits would be monitored. Two days later, on Feb. 8, staff reported they again saw Le Sueur inject a substance they believed was human waste into the child’s IV, and they called police, officials said.
Hospital staff told officers they reviewed surveillance video from the child’s room that they said showed Le Sueur walking into a bathroom carrying a cup and later leaving with the cup. Authorities allege the cup contained fecal matter mixed with liquid. Investigators say the video and staff observations indicated the substance was placed into a syringe and then injected into the child’s IV line, which was in the child’s left hand. Officials have not publicly identified the child, described the child’s medical condition, or said what injuries, if any, were caused by the alleged injections.
Le Sueur, identified as 35 in court summaries and reports, appeared in court on Tuesday. A judge set bond at $250,000 and ordered that she not have unsupervised contact with minors as a condition of release, according to reports citing court proceedings. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Feb. 19, where prosecutors are expected to outline evidence and a judge will decide whether the case should proceed to a grand jury or to a higher court for further action.
Authorities did not immediately release a detailed timeline of when the child was admitted or how long the family had been at the hospital. Prosecutors and some reports said the child was admitted Feb. 6 for suspected abuse, and the alleged injection activity came to light during that hospitalization. Hospital representatives have not publicly discussed the child’s care and did not provide additional details in the initial accounts, citing privacy limits that apply to patient information.
The allegations place investigators and medical staff at the center of a fast-moving response. In cases involving possible harm to a hospitalized child, hospitals often tighten visitor rules, add monitoring, and alert police and child welfare agencies. Officials have not said whether child protective services were involved before or after the reported incidents, or whether the child has been released from the hospital. Prosecutors also have not said whether they are awaiting lab results, medical findings, or expert reviews related to the alleged substance.
Public records described in news reports suggest the hospital began documenting concerns on Feb. 6 and then escalated the response after the Feb. 8 report. Police have not said whether they recovered physical evidence, such as the cup or syringe, or whether they have interviews from staff who said they observed the injections. The allegations rely heavily on staff reports and surveillance video, authorities said, but investigators typically also seek medical records, chain-of-custody documentation for any items recovered, and statements from the suspect and possible witnesses.
Le Sueur’s case is being handled in Franklin County, where Columbus is located. Court records referenced in reports describe the charge of endangering children, a crime that can carry serious penalties in Ohio, especially when it involves allegations of deliberate harm or a pattern of conduct. Some related reporting described additional accusations labeled as torture or cruelty, though officials have not released a full charging document in public statements. Prosecutors have not said whether they expect additional charges as the investigation continues.
Beyond the criminal case, the allegation raises difficult questions that often follow suspected abuse cases in medical settings, including how hospitals identify unusual behavior, how staff document suspected harm, and how quickly authorities can intervene when a patient is a child. Experts say pediatric hospitals commonly use layers of safeguards, including restricted access, room checks, and security camera systems in certain areas. In this case, officials have emphasized that staff acted after they believed they witnessed suspicious activity and after reviewing surveillance video, according to the accounts provided.
For now, many core facts remain unknown. Authorities have not disclosed the child’s age, the reason for the child’s hospitalization beyond the mention of suspected abuse, or whether doctors found evidence of infection or other complications. Police also have not said whether the alleged substance was tested or confirmed through lab work. Le Sueur has not publicly responded to the allegations in court statements reported so far, and it was not immediately clear whether she has an attorney who has commented on her behalf.
In the days ahead, the next public step is expected to be the Feb. 19 preliminary hearing, where prosecutors can present initial evidence and a defense attorney can challenge whether the state has probable cause. If the case advances, investigators may seek more surveillance footage, medical evaluations, and expert testimony about how the alleged conduct could affect a patient. Prosecutors also may ask for the bond conditions to remain in place, including limits on contact with minors, depending on the court’s review.
As the case moves forward, it is likely to be watched closely by families and advocates because it involves a child who was already in the hospital and because it hinges on what staff say they saw and what video appears to show. The legal process will determine what evidence can be used in court and whether the allegations can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Until then, authorities have said the investigation is ongoing and more details could be released through court filings.
Le Sueur remains charged in Franklin County as the case heads toward the Feb. 19 hearing, and officials have not announced any additional court dates beyond that proceeding.
Author note: Last updated February 12, 2026.