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Inset: Debra McGillem (Steuben County Sheriff”s Office). Background: Angola High School in Indiana (Metropolitan School District of Steuben County).
The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office disclosed in a Facebook post that the situation came to light on Friday morning. This followed the school resource deputy at Angola High School being informed that the students had consumed the gummies during their final class on Thursday.
“Preliminary findings indicate the students were in class when they ate the gummies, unaware they contained THC. These candies were reportedly left in plain sight within the classroom,” deputies detailed in their report.
Further inquiries revealed that Debra McGillem, a 49-year-old language arts teacher at the school, had brought the gummies onto the premises. According to the school district’s website, McGillem teaches at the high school located in northern Indiana. She resides in Reading, Michigan, approximately 25 miles northeast of the school.
Further investigation revealed that 49-year-old Debra McGillem brought the gummies into the school. The district’s website says she is a language arts teacher at the school located in the northern part of the Hoosier State. McGillem lives in Reading, Michigan, which is some 25 miles northeast of the school.
Cops took the teacher into custody. They say they found more suspected THC gummies on her person. Deputies determined she was allegedly under the influence and operating a vehicle while impaired.
McGillem faces charges of neglect of a dependent and possession of a controlled substance on school property, both level 6 felonies, along with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a misdemeanor. Authorities also alerted the Indiana Department of Child Services.
The teacher was taken to the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office on a $6,500 bond. She remained in jail as of Saturday morning.
Matthew L. Widenhoefer, superintendent of Metropolitan School District of Steuben County (MSDSC), addressed the situation in a Facebook post to parents.
“The school district is aware that an MSDSC staff member has been booked into the Steuben County Jail. The district has initiated an internal investigation, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with district policy and applicable law,” the statement said.