A former cook at a Waffle House in Georgia has been charged with aggravated battery for allegedly giving a homeless man $5 to drink liquid cleaner.
Police Lt. Jason Bolton of Henry County told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Quinton Wilson, 19, was originally charged with a misdemeanor. But he said the charge was upgraded because of the condition of the victim, Rex Leo.
Leo told police Wilson offered him a "Christmas milkshake," which he refused because he did not know the ingredients, WXIA-TV reported. But when Wilson offered him $5 to drink it, he complied.
Police believe the shake combined Ivory soap with some sort of liquid detergent or cleaner. Leo was in critical condition with a burned mouth and throat and damage to internal organs.
Bob Leo told WXIA his brother had a drinking problem and was trying to turn his life around.
Wilson was fired from the Waffle House after the incident. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted and could face even more serious charges if Leo dies.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
