Inset: Debra McGillem (Steuben County Sheriff”s Office). Background: Angola High School in Indiana (Metropolitan School District of Steuben County).
According to a statement shared by the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, the events unfolded at Angola High School after a resource deputy was alerted to the incident. On Thursday afternoon, during the final class session, the two students unknowingly ingested the gummies, which were left out in the open within the classroom.
Authorities reported that the students were unaware that the candy contained THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana. The investigation pointed to 49-year-old Debra McGillem, a language arts teacher, as the individual responsible for bringing the gummies into the school. McGillem resides in Reading, Michigan, about 25 miles northeast of the school, which is located in the northern region of Indiana.
Following the incident, law enforcement arrested McGillem. During the arrest, officers discovered additional suspected THC gummies in her possession. They also concluded that she was allegedly under the influence while operating a vehicle, compounding the severity of the charges against her.
This incident has sparked a broader discussion about safety and responsibility within educational environments, as well as the importance of ensuring that potentially harmful substances are securely stored away from students.
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.
