Teacher Under Investigation After Classroom Drug Incident
A 49-year-old Indiana teacher is facing multiple criminal charges after allegedly leaving high-potency cannabis gummies exposed in her classroom, leading to two students accidentally consuming the drugs.
Debra McGillem, a language arts teacher at Angola High School, is accused of leaving THC edibles "out in the open" in her classroom on Thursday, according to police statements from the Steuben County Sheriff's Office.
Students Unknowingly Consume Cannabis Products
The incident came to light when a school resource deputy discovered that two students had mistakenly eaten the gummies, believing them to be ordinary sweets. Detectives confirmed that the students were unaware the candy contained THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis.
Authorities revealed that after the initial discovery of THC edibles in the classroom, additional cannabis gummies were found in McGillem's possession. The investigation took another concerning turn when deputies suspected the teacher was impaired when she drove to the Sheriff's department for questioning.
Criminal Charges and Community Reaction
McGillem was subsequently booked into Steuben County Jail on felony charges including child neglect and possession of a controlled substance on school property. She also faces two misdemeanour counts for driving while intoxicated.
The teacher is being held on a $6,500 bond while the investigation continues. The Indiana Department of Child Services has been notified of the incident.
Despite the serious allegations, some students have rushed to McGillem's defence on social media. One senior at Angola High School wrote that she was "the best teacher in that school by far" and that while she made "a pretty big mistake," she "doesn't deserve all the hate and disrespect."
Indiana maintains strict marijuana laws where possession, growth, or cultivation of cannabis remains illegal. The state only permits cannabis products containing at least five percent CBD and no more than 0.3 percent THC.
