John Jefferson
Charges were dropped against a teacher who was allegedly drunk at Nuestro Elementary School (CBS Sacramento/YouTube)
No charges will be filed against a Northern California second grade teacher who police said was teaching with a blood alcohol content level two times the legal limit to drive.
The teacher was arrested for DUI and child endangerment on the morning of Oct. 2 while teaching at Nuestro Elementary in Live Oak, an hour north of Sacramento, after a co-worker reported her being possibly drunk, authorities said. She was jailed, and an investigation was launched, but Sutter County District Attorney Jennifer Dupré said Monday her office declined to prosecute the case.
“It is not illegal to teach drunk,” Dupré said, according to CBS Sacramento affiliate KOVR.
The teacher drove to school that day. Deputies said she failed a field sobriety test and her blood alcohol content was nearly twice the legal limit of .08% nearly two hours after authorities had first contacted her. But prosecutors said they couldn’t prove she drove drunk.
“During the investigation, it could not be established that Munson was under the influence when she drove to the school, as opposed to drinking only after arriving there,” Dupré said in a Facebook post. “Additionally, the requirements for child endangerment cannot be met, as there was no specific information indicating that the children in Munson’s class were placed in a position where their persons or health were endangered. The mere potential that a situation could arise is insufficient to meet the requirements under the law. While the District Attorney’s Office agrees that it is highly inappropriate to teach while intoxicated, it is, unfortunately, not illegal.”
The District Attorney added that their position on criminal charges does not impact the district’s decision on the teacher’s employment.
Superintendent and Principal Baljinder Dhillon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Law&Crime about the teacher’s status. She’s not listed as a teacher on the district’s website.
Sacramento ABC affiliate KXTV reported that Dhillon said in a letter to parents after the arrest that the teacher would not be in the class in place of a long-term substitute.
“This morning, October 2, 2023, law enforcement was called to the school in response to concerns that an employee was exhibiting signs of intoxication. Law enforcement promptly escorted the employee off campus for processing,” the letter reportedly said. “While we are limited in what we can share as this is both a personnel matter and a matter being investigated by law enforcement, what we can confirm is that a long-term substitute will be in the classroom until further notice. If your child is in the classroom impacted by this staffing change, you will be notified.
“Our students’ safety and well-being remain our highest priority. The District remains committed to ensuring that every child in our District is able to learn and thrive in a healthy, safe environment. We appreciate our staff for promptly reporting concerns to administration and appreciate the Sheriff’s Department for responding quickly with minimal disruption.”
Parents in the community were baffled.
“I thought it was crazy,” Kaitlynn Conley told KOVR. “I think she should’ve called out of work. I know people have fun weekends, but that was definitely not OK as an educator.”
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