Brian Hagberg
WARREN, Pa. – A Warren teen has been charged with attempted homicide after allegedly adding hazardous chemicals to his stepfather’s beverages.
Officers were dispatched to 12 Mead Street on Aug. 6 after the teen’s mother called police saying her son had put the chemicals in her husband’s drinks.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Caden Joshua Beckford, 17 of Warren, allegedly told his mother that he had put wood finish in a Mountain Dew bottle the victim had in the refrigerator. After locating Beckford on Locust Street later that evening officers said they asked Beckford if he knew why they were speaking to him. According to the affidavit, Beckford answered, “for the attempted homicide.”
Police said the victim stated that a few days prior to the call he had “noticed that his two Mountain Dew bottles in the refrigerator had been opened.” After drinking one of the bottles, police said, the victim stated he “became sick, and has been sick to the stomach until now (Aug. 6).”
According to the affidavit, when the victim opened the second bottle on Aug. 6 he “noticed there appeared to be a foreign liquid inside the bottle.” The victim and his wife poured some of the contents out to identify the foreign substance. That’s when Beckford allegedly told his mother that he had added the wood finish to the bottle.
After transporting Beckford to the Warren Police interview room, police said Beckford (with his mother present) described his actions in detail. According to police, Beckford said he poured some of the liquid out of each Mountain Dew bottle, then added furniture finish and wasp spray to the bottles before putting the lids back on and putting the bottles back in the refrigerator. Police said Beckford added that he “did this so the victim would die.”
According to online court records, Beckford was charged with one count of felony attempted homicide. Bail was denied and Beckford is being held in the Warren County Jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Aug. 15.
