Genene Jones became one of the most hated women in southern Texas when she was convicted of murdering a 15-month-old while working as a pediatric nurse. Many believe her crimes could have been prevented. Long before she was convicted of killing Chelsea McClellan, Jones had arisen suspicion because a high number of children has begun dying while she was on duty. It got to the point where her shift was called the “Death Shift.” Instead of reporting her, the hospital she was working at simply moved her to a different department.
When she worked at a different medical clinic, eight children who had been under the care of Genene Jones had emergencies arise. Chelsea McClellan was then in her care, and she was given two doses of a muscle relaxer that causes cardiac arrest. In addition to eyewitnesses testifying against Jones, researchers were able to create a system to measure traces of the drug she had given Chelsea. Enough of the drugs were found to send Jones to prison. It is believed that she played a role in the deaths of many more children—dozens, at least— but there was never enough evidence to convict.
What’s more shocking than the crimes she committed is the fact that a legal loophole might allow Jones, who was sentenced to 99 years in jail, to be released. The loophole? A law in Texas that allows sentences to be reduced by up to two-thirds of the sentence time, in order to prevent overcrowding in the prisons. As Jones was convicted of the murder in 1984, she may be released in 2018.