Two sixth-grade girls are facing juvenile criminal charges and administrative discipline after allegedly spiking a teacher’s drink with a foreign substance.
According to the Cherokee County School Police report, the 11-year-old and the 12-year old, who attend Johnston Elementary School, have been charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct. A school police investigation is ongoing, said Cherokee County School District Director of Communications Mike McGowan.
School Police chief Mark Kissel refused to comment on the investigation.
Although school disciplinary referrals cannot be discussed, an offense such as the students committed is handled under Disciplinary Violation 3A of the school district disciplinary code, “Act that Endangers Employee,” McGowan said.
According to the incident report, the girls allegedly “poured or sprayed a foreign substance into a beverage container of one of their teachers.” The incident happened inside a Johnston Elementary classroom.
An initial inquiry was conducted under the direction of Principal Gena Hood, and the school police were notified Feb. 12. Johnston Elementary administration provided school police with a package containing the results of the administrative investigation on Feb. 15. The police began their investigation Feb. 22, when school came back into session after winter break, the report said.
According to the report, one student was arrested Feb. 23, and the other was arrested Feb. 24. Both were released to their parents.
According to the school district disciplinary code, Violation 3A, students committing a disturbance or act that endangers the well-being of any school employee face immediate suspension for one to nine school days, and a tribunal may be scheduled, with recommendation for long-term assignment to alternative school or expulsion.
