A Connecticut mother’s desperate attempt to win a custody battle by poisoning her estranged husband with antifreeze reveals how family court disputes can become deadly battlegrounds that endanger innocent children.
Story Highlights
- Kristen Hogan, 33, charged with two counts of attempted murder for poisoning husband with ethylene glycol
- Couple’s child hospitalized with similar symptoms, raising concerns about additional victimization
- Defendant researched multiple lethal chemicals online, demonstrating premeditated intent
- Poisoning occurred during bitter custody dispute where Hogan stood to gain full custody and property
Premeditated Attack During Custody Battle
Kristen Hogan of Ridgefield deliberately contaminated wine and iced tea with ethylene glycol antifreeze in her estranged husband’s home between August 7-10, 2024. Connecticut State Police arrested the 33-year-old mother after laboratory testing confirmed the presence of the deadly chemical in consumed beverages. Hogan initially denied the allegations but eventually confessed to poisoning both drinks, claiming she wanted to make her husband sick as “payback for him being mentally abusive.”
The poisoning attempt occurred while the couple battled over child custody, with Hogan failing to appear at a scheduled court hearing on August 7. Her husband received Wi-Fi notifications indicating her presence at his residence during her absence from court. This timing suggests Hogan used the custody proceedings as cover for accessing the victim’s home to execute her poisoning plan.
Dangerous Research Into Lethal Chemicals
Police seized Hogan’s phone, revealing extensive internet searches for deadly substances including “potassium cyanide, potassium ferrycide, citrate-cyanide, potassium thiocyanate, and monoethylene glycol.” The searches specifically focused on lethal dosages, demonstrating clear premeditation rather than impulsive action. Hogan told investigators she learned about cyanide from watching the television show “Psych,” highlighting how popular media can influence criminal behavior.
The victim consumed the poisoned wine on August 10 and became critically ill overnight, experiencing slurred speech, staggering, and severe vomiting. His mother discovered him in a severely compromised state and helped coordinate emergency medical intervention. Hospital staff diagnosed ethylene glycol poisoning and provided life-saving treatment that prevented what could have been a fatal outcome.
Child Becomes Secondary Victim
The couple’s minor child was hospitalized in September with symptoms similar to the father’s poisoning, suggesting potential exposure to the contaminated substances. This development transforms the case from domestic violence into child endangerment, as Hogan’s actions threatened the safety of the very child she sought to protect through custody proceedings. The incident demonstrates how parental disputes can spiral into situations that harm the children they claim to serve.
Connecticut mother charged with attempted murder after allegedly poisoning husband with antifreeze https://t.co/DS1agFC2g9
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 7, 2025
Hogan now faces two counts of attempted murder and one count of interfering with an officer, charges that carry significant prison sentences if convicted. The custody battle that motivated her actions has effectively resulted in the potential loss of both parents for their child – one to attempted murder and the other to incarceration. This case exemplifies how family court systems can become catalysts for dangerous escalation when emotions override rational decision-making.
Sources:
Mom accused of poisoning estranged husband amid custody battle – Up North Live
Connecticut mother charged in antifreeze poisoning case – Turn To 10
