Shelby Adams

A York City woman will plead guilty to poisoning her 90-year-old grandmother.

Shelby Lyn Adams, 41, formerly of Ridge Avenue, was in York County Court on Friday for a pretrial conference, where attorneys informed Common Pleas Judge Craig T. Trebilcock that she wanted to enter a plea.

The judge scheduled her guilty-plea hearing for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 18.

Chief deputy prosecutor Tim Barker and chief public defender Bruce Blocher, who represents Adams, did not reveal details about the plea in open court. Barker said because of that, ethical rules prohibit him and Blocher from discussing them publicly.

Both attorneys said they will be able to talk about the case at the time of Adams' plea.

Barker said he could confirm there have been ongoing discussions between his office and Blocher about Adams' case.

York Area Regional Police said Adams used morphine-laced chili to kill 90-year-old Ada Adams of York Township, to cover up the fact she'd stolen $12,000 from her grandmother.

She is currently charged with first- and third-degree murder, four counts of forgery and one count each of theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

According to police, Shelby Adams stole checks from her grandmother, then forged and cashed them.

At the time of her grandmother's death, Shelby Adams worked in York Hospital's emergency room and had access to leftover morphine, police said.