Texas Nurse Could Have Killed Up To 60 Children

A former nurse in Texas who prosecutors claim could be responsible for the murders of up to 60 children was indicted Wednesday by a grand jury for the second time in recent weeks.

66-year-old Genene Jones, who has come to be known in Texas as both the “angel of death” and “the killer nurse,” was charged Wednesday with the September 1981 slaying of 2-year-old Rosemary Vega. The grand jury has recommended bail be set at $1 million.

Jones was also charged with a separate count of murder May 24 involving the poisoning of an 11-month boy with a toxic level of Dilantin, an anti-seizure drug.

“As people are well aware, I believe children are a gift from the Lord,” Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood told reporters after the May 24 sentencing. “Genene Jones did not see children in this regard. She is pure evil and justice warrants that she be held accountable for the crimes she committed. Our Office will attempt to account for every child whose life was stolen by the actions of Jones. Our only focus is justice.”

Jones is currently serving concurrent 99-year and 60-year sentences in state prison for two 1984 convictions: the killing of 15-month-old Chelsea McClellan and the poisoning of 4-week-old Rolando Santos. She was scheduled to be released earlier this year under a mandatory release law, but her recent conviction will keep her behind bars.

While Jones was employed at a San Antonio hospital and hospitals around Texas, numerous children reportedly died of unexplained seizures and other unforeseen complications.

Some prosecutors have speculated that Jones was trying to poison the children so that she could act as a hero and save the victims, The Associated Press reports. Prosecutors are expected to release more details regarding the case Wednesday evening.