Vadnais Heights, MN – A 65-year-old Minnesota mother who admitted to trying to kill her disabled adult son by secretly drugging him at his group home will serve three years in prison, far less than the 18-year sentence prosecutors had sought. The case has drawn widespread outrage and renewed debate over sentencing leniency in crimes involving vulnerable victims.
The Incident: Attempted Murder of a Disabled Son
According to court documents, Julie Myhre-Schnell attempted to kill her wheelchair-bound son on December 3, 2023, by crushing up Lorazepam, an anti-anxiety medication, and secretly placing it into his feeding bag while visiting him at Regency Home Care in Vadnais Heights, Ramsey County.
The victim, who suffers from spina bifida, uses a ventilator and requires 24-hour care. Authorities said Myhre-Schnell hoped her son would “go to sleep forever,” quoting text messages in which she confessed to the crime.
Investigators later confirmed that Myhre-Schnell admitted her actions during questioning, telling them she had planned the overdose in advance.
“The whole time, I knew I was gonna try to do this,” she told investigators. “All night, I was like, am I really doing this? I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
Her son survived the poisoning attempt but later told investigators that learning of his mother’s confession was “a lot to process.”
Investigation and Evidence
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office said Myhre-Schnell not only confessed to multiple people, including her son, but also texted him directly months later to admit what she had done. On August 6, 2024, she texted him saying she had put her medication into his feeding bag, hoping he would “go to sleep forever.”
Investigators recovered copies of the text messages, confirming the admission. In his response, the victim wrote,
“I made it, I’m still here,”
adding that it was “heavy” and “a lot to process.”
During her interview with Investigator Hughes, Myhre-Schnell stated she had refilled her Lorazepam prescription earlier that month, crushed the pills into a “slurry of water,” and carried the container in her pocket before pouring it into her son’s feeding bag.
When the victim later suffered respiratory distress, Myhre-Schnell allegedly worried that a toxicology report would expose her crime. She told police she “regretted he survived” and knew she was going to be caught.
“I was worried about them finding out through toxicology, and I was probably trying to figure out what I’m going to do. I’m just going to go to jail,” she told investigators.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Myhre-Schnell pleaded guilty in July 2024 to one count of attempted first-degree murder as part of a plea agreement. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the aggravating factor that the victim was “particularly vulnerable.”
During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors urged the court to impose an 18-year prison term, the maximum allowed under state guidelines, arguing that Myhre-Schnell had “systematically tried to kill her disabled son — her own child.”
“Prior to her plea, the defendant showed little to no remorse,” said Prosecutor Ron Hocevar. “Defendant told law enforcement she regretted her son survived her attempts. A 36-month sentence for attempted murder is why people feel the justice system is flawed.”
However, the judge opted for a three-year prison sentence, well below the state’s recommendation. The court did not publicly explain the reason for the reduced sentence, though the victim reportedly requested leniency for his mother.
Family Background and Aftermath
At the time of her arrest in August 2024, Myhre-Schnell was in the midst of divorce proceedings from Minnesota Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell. The divorce was finalized shortly after her arrest, and Commissioner Schnell filed for a protection order for both himself and the victim.
Court records revealed that Myhre-Schnell had been experiencing mental health struggles in the months leading up to the crime, including severe depression. However, prosecutors maintained that her mental state did not justify her actions.
Statements and Reactions
The case has sparked public outrage, especially among advocates for people with disabilities who believe the three-year sentence minimizes the severity of the crime.
Victim statements presented in court described the son as a positive, social young man who loved volunteering at the zoo and enjoyed his life at the group home.
“He liked his residence and had everything he needed,” the affidavit noted. “He talked about his friends and what he enjoys doing in his spare time, including volunteering weekly at the zoo.”
Prosecutor Hocevar called the sentence “a failure of justice,” while others argued that the court’s decision was overly lenient given the calculated nature of the act.
Background and Legal Context
Under Minnesota sentencing guidelines, attempted first-degree murder typically carries a prison term of 12 to 18 years, depending on prior record and aggravating factors. However, judges have discretion to depart from the guidelines in cases involving plea agreements or mitigating circumstances.
The court’s decision to issue a downward departure—cutting the sentence to just three years—has reignited debates about judicial discretion in cases involving family violence and vulnerable victims.
Conclusion
Julie Myhre-Schnell will serve 36 months in state prison for attempting to murder her disabled adult son. Prosecutors say they are disappointed by the ruling but hope the case raises awareness about mental health, caregiving stress, and justice reform for victims with disabilities.
Her son, who survived the attempt, continues to receive care and support in his residential facility — a survivor of both physical and emotional trauma inflicted by his own mother.
What are your thoughts on this controversial sentencing? Share your opinions in the comments below.
