Police: Retiree made ricin, tested it on Wake Robin neighbors

A resident of the Wake Robin retirement community in Shelburne made ricin and tested the deadly toxin on her neighbors by putting it on their food or in beverages over a period of weeks, investigators said.

Betty Miller, 70, told an FBI agent that she wanted to "injure herself" and was testing the poison’s effectiveness on other residents at the Wake Robin senior living facility, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court on Thursday.

Police were called to Wake Robin on Tuesday after Miller told heath care providers she had manufactured the ricin and placed it on other residents' food and beverages, the agent said in the complaint. No residents reported symptoms of ricin poisoning, he said.

The Health Department said later Friday that it became aware of one person who likely became ill with ricin poisoning but said no one is currently ill with ricin poisoning.

The FBI and the Vermont Department of Health interviewed Miller on Tuesday evening at the University of Vermont Medical Center, federal law enforcement authorities said in a statement.

In a statement Friday, Wake Robin President and CEO Patrick McKee said the affected apartment had been closed off and searched.

"We have received assurances from the VT Department of Health and the FBI that no one’s health is at risk," McKee said in the statement. "The resident of the apartment in question is now involved with the criminal justice system and will not be returning to Wake Robin."

Miller made her first appearance in federal court in Vermont on Friday. Judge John Conroy noted her mental health history. He did not elaborate.

Miller was placed in custody and is scheduled to be in court again on Wednesday. She was represented on Friday by a federal public defender, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI. She said she was working on getting a lawyer.

If convicted of the charge of unregistered possession of ricin, Miller could face up to five years in prison, according to federal law enforcement authorities.

Miller said she harvested 30 to 40 castor beans from plants growing on Wake Robin’s property and made 2 to 3 tablespoons of ricin twice in her kitchen, the complaint said. She exposed other residents to the ricin on at least three occasions, the complaint said.

Investigators found a pill bottle half full with powder labeled as ricin in a basket in a kitchen cabinet of Miller’s apartment a midst other pill bottles labeled “apple seed,” “cherry seed” and “yew seed,” the complaint said.

The powder tested positive for ricin. Investigators also found instructions for making ricin that apparently were from the internet, the affidavit said.

Miller was scheduled for an initial court appearance on Friday on charges of possessing ricin. A federal public defender did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

If inhaled, ricin causes difficulty breathing and other symptoms. If ingested, symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, hallucinations and seizures. Initial symptoms of ricin poisoning are most likely to occur within four to 10 hours of exposure.

The full statement from Wake Robin President and CEO Patrick McKee is below:

"Earlier this week Wake Robin was made aware of a potentially toxic substance in a resident’s apartment. The safety and security of Wake Robin residents and staff are ALWAYS our highest priority. Wake Robin alerted local law enforcement, and state and federal agencies quickly became involved. Wake Robin worked closely with them as they conducted their investigation. Having completed their investigation at Wake Robin, they have all left the campus.

"This was an isolated incident. The toxic substance was contained; no residents were evacuated. The affected apartment was closed off and thoroughly searched. We have received assurances from the VT Department of Health and the FBI that no one’s health is at risk. The resident of the apartment in question is now involved with the criminal justice system and will not be returning to Wake Robin. 

"On behalf of the entire Wake Robin community, we wish to thank all the local authorities and officials who conducted this important investigation professionally and with sensitivity. I also appreciate the incredible efforts of our staff and all members of our community, who over the past days have shown compassion, resilience, and patience while awaiting information. We will continue to maintain our community’s safety and protect their privacy through this time."

Patrick McKee, President & CEO, Wake Robin