The legal proceedings against a California doctor, accused of attempting to poison her estranged husband with Drano, have encountered a significant hurdle this week. Prosecutors announced plans to drop charges due to the unavailability of a crucial witness for the trial, as per a recent report.

They plan to refile the case, according to KCAL-TV, which first reported the dismissal.

Dr. Yue “Emily” Yu, a 48-year-old dermatologist residing in Irvine, California, faced allegations of adulterating her husband’s tea and lemonade with drain cleaner repeatedly in 2022.

California dermatologist Yue Yu was arrested last Thursday after being accused of poisoning her husband. (Irvine Police Department)

Attorney Scott Simmons explained following a 2023 Orange County court session that there was an ant infestation in the kitchen. “Jack Chen instructed her to use Drano in the lemonade or tea as bait to eliminate ants. He then installed ‘spy cameras’ to document her adding Drano to the drinks, later falsely accusing her of poisoning him,” Simmons argued.

On the same day he sought a protection order from the court, Chen initiated divorce proceedings, according to his attorney, Steven Hittleman. He also alleged that his wife and mother-in-law subjected him to domestic abuse and restricted access to his children.

David Wohl, one of Yu’s attorneys, has called Chen’s allegations “false” and said they are motivated by the divorce and custody battle.

Yu’s attorney firmly rejected the allegations of poisoning or any form of harm after her arrest. “Dr. Emily Yu, a respected physician focused on healing, categorically denies her husband’s accusations of emotionally and physically abusing him and their children,” he stated to Fox News Digital.

Yu would face up to eight years in prison if convicted.