A Kitchener woman has been sentenced to six years in prison after admitting to poisoning four children in her care.

Christine Allen, 32, was first charged with aggravated assault and administering a noxious substance last summer, after a two-year-old she was caring for was taken to a hospital three times in five days – the last time spending nearly a week under care.

On each occasion, the boy appeared drowsy and lethargic, with a weak pulse and low heart rate.

Medical tests concluded that the boy had been poisoned by tretrahydozoline – a substance commonly found in eyedrops.

Allen had been living with the boy’s mother as she attempted to get her life back on track.

As police investigated that case, they also heard from others who suspected Allen of poisoning them and learned of another child who had recently become ill while in her care.

One child, an eight-year-old boy, told police Allen had forced him to consume hot sauce and dish soap.

It is believed that boy was poisoned through eyedrops placed in his juice, requiring him to spend several days in hospital.

In connection with those and other cases, an additional fourteen charges were laid against Allen last October.

Wednesday, Allen pleaded guilty to four counts of administering a noxious substance with intent to cause bodily harm.

In addition to the two cases mentioned above, Allen admitted to poisoning an infant multiple times during her first four months of life, including while still in hospital hours after her birth.

The infant was taken to specialized medical facilities in London and Toronto as her family sought to learn what was causing her to occasionally become lethargic with a lower heart rate.

Now nearly two years old, the girl has mental and physical developmental delays believed to be caused by Allen’s actions.

In the fourth case, a four-month-old Guelph boy spent six days in hospital after Allen stayed with his mother for one night.

The boy relapsed in hospital following a visit from Allen, but has been symptom-free during the 15 months since he was discharged.

Court documents show that an acquaintance of Allen’s told police Allen often spoke of poisoning people, having learned about tetrahydrozoline from an episode of CSI.

The six-year sentence handed to Allen on Wednesday was a joint recommendation of the Crown and defence lawyers.

Charges in relation to five other alleged victims, all of whom Allen denies poisoning, were dropped.