This story by Jordan Cuddemi was published in the Valley News on Sept. 5.
CHELSEA — A 63-year-old former employee at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph has pleaded not guilty to poisoning a co-worker in July by putting a chemical into her coffee mug.
Wayne C. Parezo, of Braintree, appeared in Orange Superior Court in Chelsea on Wednesday morning for an arraignment on a felony count of aggravated assault — administering a drug.
The judge released him on conditions, including that he have no contact with the victim, 49-year-old Susan Henderson, and that he not enter onto the property of the medical center unless he or a family member needs emergency care.
Prosecutors allege Parezo put a “floor stripper” chemical into Henderson’s cup of coffee on the afternoon of July 24. Henderson drank from the cup and sought emergency care for numbness and burning in her throat, according to an affidavit written by Orange County Sheriff’s Department Detective Lt. Scott Clouatre.
Henderson, who was treated and released, told police she identified the substance in her mug by the smell of it. The chemical, Clean Cut Concentrated Stripper, is a corrosive, clear-yellow liquid with a warning label that urges people who ingest it to seek immediate medical attention or call poison control, the affidavit said.
In an interview with police, Parezo allegedly said he put the substance into her coffee mug to make her “sick” and “pissed off,” the affidavit said. He added that he “needs counseling” for his behavior, the affidavit says.
Parezo worked in environmental services, or housekeeping, at the hospital. Hospital officials shortly after his arrest said he is no longer employed there.
On Wednesday, Gifford spokeswoman Maryellen Apelquist said Parezo worked at the hospital from August 2012 to July 2018.
She issued a prepared statement.
“This was an isolated incident, which Gifford management immediately reported to law enforcement,” Apelquist said via email on Wednesday. “All Gifford team members are encouraged to report any suspicious activity. We are committed to maintaining a safe environment, and follow appropriate channels to respond to any and all personnel issues in a timely manner and to protect the safety and privacy of all in our community.”
As he left the courthouse, Parezo said he had no comment. A message left for his attorney, Jason Sawyer, of Burlington, wasn’t immediately returned.
His wife, Terri, who according to a 2016 Gifford publication has worked at the medical center for decades, accompanied him in court.
Gifford has not changed any procedures in the wake of this alleged incident, Apelquist said.
The events of July 24 unfolded when Henderson took a sip of her coffee and immediately noticed the liquid smelled like “floor stripper,” Henderson told police in an interview, according to the affidavit.
She said she brought the coffee into work with her, something she routinely does. She left the mug unattended while she cleaned a conference area and returned to find the coffee tainted, she said.
Henderson told police she thought Parezo was responsible because he has made threats toward her in the past, the affidavit says.
Through interviews with several of Henderson and Parezo’s coworkers, police were able to narrow down a timeframe when Parezo was alone near the mug, according to the affidavit.
Parezo first told police he put vinegar into Henderson’s mug, but after police told him they would be testing the contents of the mug at the state laboratory, he “confessed that he put floor stripper” in her coffee, the affidavit states.
He told police that he was “very relieved” when he found out that Henderson wasn’t seriously hurt.
The time of Parezo’s next court date wasn’t immediately available.
