Benecia Teacher Arrested After Pot-Laced Potluck For Colleagues
BENECIA (CBS/AP) - A Northern California elementary school teacher has been arrested for allegedly serving marijuana-laced food to her colleagues at a potluck dinner without their knowledge.
Benecia Police Department Lt. Frank Hartig said Teresa Gilmete Badger was booked into the Solano County Jail on Friday on suspicion of poisoning. The 47-year-old Badger's arrest capped a month-and-a-half-long investigation that started with a tip from the Benicia Unified School District's superintendent.
Hartig says that several people attending the Nov. 21 dinner at a private home complained of feeling ill or high from an unknown substance and that two of them sought treatment at a hospital. Blood work on one of the patients tested positive for THC, an active ingredient in marijuana.
Neighbors say they don't believe the allegations.
"Teresa is kind. She's a dedicated teacher. She's someone who keeps to herself," said Dave Padilla, a neighbor.
A child also ate some of the pot-infused food that was brought home from the party for Matthew Turner Elementary School staff.
Badger faces three felony counts of poisoning.
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