Latest news with #TeresaIsabelBernal
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
East Texas mom arrested for allegedly bringing jello shots with vodka to elementary party
A Texas mother was arrested last week after allegedly bringing vodka-infused jello shots to an elementary school holiday party, causing several fifth-grade students to vomit and leaving one student reportedly unable to stand after consuming six shots. According to an affidavit obtained by KETK, a Tyler ISD police officer was contacted by the assistant principal of Jones Elementary and Boshears Center on Dec. 20. The assistant principal informed the officer that she suspected a parent had brought jello shots to the class's Christmas party, which was later confirmed via sick children and through lab testing. Here's what we know. On the day of the event, after several students had already consumed the jello, the officer asked the suspect, Teresa Isabel Bernal, to come to the principal's office. Upon arriving, the officer noticed a cafeteria boat containing four gelatin shots on the conference table. During the interview, Bernal told the officer that the jello shots were purchased from a local business she found on Facebook. According to the affidavit, Bernal explained that the business was run out of a house, so she went there to buy the shots and brought them to the school for the party. When asked if the jello shots contained alcohol, Bernal responded, 'They do taste different,' according to the affidavit. She further explained that she had intended the shots for the students and was unaware they contained alcohol. However, the jello shots were marked with Smirnoff labels, leading officers to question how Bernal could not have known. 'In my opinion, there is no way Bernal could have missed the fact that the Jell-O shots she purchased from the local business and brought to the Christmas party contained drinking alcohol,' the officer said. As it was the last day of school before Christmas break, the officer briefly interviewed 15 students who had consumed the shots. 'Nearly all of them reported having stomachaches and headaches,' the affidavit said. One student who had allegedly consumed six shots reported to the officer that he was dizzy. The student explained that he fell and felt unable to stand. He said he was 'scared' while on the floor in his teacher's room. Another student who had consumed two went to the bathroom and vomited before speaking to the officer, and then again after. According to the affidavit, the officer spoke to the student's mother on Jan. 21, and she reported that her child acted oddly after she picked him up. 'She said he 'passed out' on the floor at home,' the affidavit said. On Jan. 20, the officer contacted the teacher about the incident. The teacher described the jello shot boxes as 'nice,' noting they appeared to be something a bakery might provide and explained that the desserts were distributed at lunch on the day of the incident. About 20 minutes after the students had theirs, two teachers sampled the jello shots and suspected they contained alcohol. The teacher then returned the students to the classroom after lunch and sent those who had consumed the jello shots to the nurse, leaving only four students remaining in the class. 'During the interviews, I was told that while some of the teachers found it odd that Bernal would bring jello shots to an elementary school party, they trusted her to not bring anything harmful,' the affidavit said. 'Bernal was an involved parent and frequently participated in school events.' The officer also interviewed the owners of the local business, who confirmed the purchase the day before the party. The officer received screenshots of a text conversation between the owner and Bernal. 'Bernal asked the owner if the shots contained alcohol. The owner replied that the shots did have alcohol and asked why. Bernal simply responded, 'kids,'' the affidavit stated. The affidavit noted that the remaining jello shots were sent to NMS Labs for testing, which confirmed they contained alcohol. Bernal was arrested and booked at the Smith County Jail on April 21 for recklessly causing bodily injury to a child. She posted her $75,000 bond the same day. According to a note sent to families, Tyler ISD has prohibited Bernal from returning to campus. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas mom arrested for bringing vodka jello to 5th grade school party
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Yahoo
Texas mom arrested for allegedly bringing vodka-spiked Jell-O shots to fifth grade school party
A mother in East Texas was arrested after a child got sick from alleged vodka-laced Jell-O shots at a fifth grade school holiday party in December. Teresa Isabel Bernal, 33, is facing a felony count of injury to a child after multiple students consumed what officials allege were vodka-laced treats Dec. 20 at Jones Elementary School in Tyler. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by KETK, a Tyler Independent School District (ISD) police officer received a phone call from the Jones Elementary assistant principal that said she believed a parent had brought in Jell-O shots to a class Christmas party. One child threw up and another was unable to stand after consuming six shots, according to an arrest affidavit. School staff said students had consumed nearly all the tainted shots before staff realized they contained alcohol. Maine Student Passes Out, 11 Taken To Hospital As Cause Of Illnesses Remains Unknown Fifteen students were sent to the school nurse and reported having stomach aches and headaches, the affidavit said. Read On The Fox News App After returning from Christmas break, another student reported he had thrown up twice at school that day, according to the affidavit, while another student claimed he had "passed out" after school following the party. Bernal told the officer she had purchased the Jell-O shots from a local business she found on Facebook. "The business is run out of a house, so she went by the house and purchased the Jell-O shots and brought them to the school for the Christmas party," the affidavit said. New Hampshire Day Care Workers Sprinkled Melatonin In Children's Food Unbeknownst To Parents, Police Say Bernal denied knowing there was any alcohol in the Jell-O shots and claimed she did not intend to give alcohol-laced treats to the students. However, investigators disagreed with Bernal's claims, saying that, after looking at the photo of the Jell-O shots she ordered, "it clearly states the Jell-O shots contain Smirnoff [a vodka brand]," the complaint says. "In my opinion, there is no way Bernal could have missed the fact that the Jello-O shots she purchased and brought to her daughter's fifth grade Christmas party contained drinking alcohol," the arrest affidavit states. Charity Accidentally Distributes Drug-laced Candy To Around 400 People: 'Funny Tasting' During an interview with some of the teachers, they told investigators they "found it odd" that Bernal would bring Jell-O shots to a class party but "trusted" Bernal would not bring "anything harmful" to the school party. Tyler ISD officials shared a statement with Fox News Digital, saying they were aware of Bernal's recent arrest and were working with law enforcement in the investigation. The district added that Bernal has not been allowed back on campus since the incident and now faces legal consequences. According to jail records, Bernal was booked into jail April 21, and her bail is set at $75,000. She has yet to appear in court and does not appear to have a lawyer at this article source: Texas mom arrested for allegedly bringing vodka-spiked Jell-O shots to fifth grade school party
Fox News
26-04-2025
- Fox News
Texas mom arrested for allegedly bringing vodka-spiked Jell-O shots to 5th grade school party
A mother in East Texas was arrested after a child got sick from alleged vodka-laced Jell-O shots at a fifth grade school holiday party in December. Teresa Isabel Bernal, 33, is facing a felony count of injury to a child after multiple students consumed what officials allege were vodka-laced treats Dec. 20 at Jones Elementary School in Tyler. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by KETK, a Tyler Independent School District (ISD) police officer received a phone call from the Jones Elementary assistant principal that said she believed a parent had brought in Jell-O shots to a class Christmas party. One child threw up and another was unable to stand after consuming six shots, according to an arrest affidavit. School staff said students had consumed nearly all the tainted shots before staff realized they contained alcohol. Fifteen students were sent to the school nurse and reported having stomach aches and headaches, the affidavit said. After returning from Christmas break, another student reported he had thrown up twice at school that day, according to the affidavit, while another student claimed he had "passed out" after school following the party. Bernal told the officer she had purchased the Jell-O shots from a local business she found on Facebook. "The business is run out of a house, so she went by the house and purchased the Jell-O shots and brought them to the school for the Christmas party," the affidavit said. Bernal denied knowing there was any alcohol in the Jell-O shots and claimed she did not intend to give alcohol-laced treats to the students. However, investigators disagreed with Bernal's claims, saying that, after looking at the photo of the Jell-O shots she ordered, "it clearly states the Jell-O shots contain Smirnoff [a vodka brand]," the complaint says. "In my opinion, there is no way Bernal could have missed the fact that the Jello-O shots she purchased and brought to her daughter's 5th grade Christmas party contained drinking alcohol," the arrest affidavit states. During an interview with some of the teachers, they told investigators they "found it odd" that Bernal would bring Jell-O shots to a class party but "trusted" Bernal would not bring "anything harmful" to the school party. Tyler ISD officials shared a statement with Fox News Digital, saying they were aware of Bernal's recent arrest and were working with law enforcement in the investigation. "Tyler ISD is aware of the recent arrest of a parent in connection to an elementary holiday party last December. At the time, a parent volunteer brought homemade Jell-O to the celebration, which was later found to contain alcohol. Unfortunately, some students consumed the Jell-O before the situation was discovered. Staff acted immediately to address the situation, informing parents and working with law enforcement. We take this matter very seriously and remain committed to the safety and well-being of our students." - Tyler ISD The district added that Bernal has not been allowed back on campus since the incident and now faces legal consequences. According to jail records, Bernal was booked into jail April 21, and her bail is set at $75,000. She has yet to appear in court and does not appear to have a lawyer at this time. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Texas mother arrested after bringing Jell-O shots to 5th-grade classroom party
A Texas mother who officials say took alcoholic Jell-O shots to her child's elementary school Christmas party has been arrested. Teresa Isabel Bernal, 33, was charged with injury to a child in connection to a party Dec. 20 at Jones Elementary School in Tyler Texas. Bernal purchased the Jell-O shots from a home business she found on Facebook, according to the arrest affidavit. The shots were laid out on a table along with treats students had brought to share in a cafeteria where fifth-grade classes gathered, officials said. Fifteen students consumed the shots, and nearly all reported 'having stomach aches and headaches,' the affidavit said. One student told police he vomited twice at school that day, and another student said he 'passed out' at school after consuming the Jell-O shot, according to the affidavit. One student reported that he had six Jell-O shots and got dizzy. When he returned to his classroom, he 'got dizzy and fell and felt like he could not get back on his feet,' the affidavit said. When questioned by a Tyler Independent School District police officer, Bernal said she did not know the shots contained alcohol, but conceded 'they do taste different,' the arrest affidavit said. She said she discovered the shots had alcohol only after the children had consumed some of them, according to officials. Bernal did not immediately respond to a message left on a phone number listed under her name. A teacher told police that two other teachers tried the shots and said they believed the shots contained alcohol. The teacher tried one herself but couldn't tell because of the flavor, police said. The teacher took the kids back to her class and sent those who consumed a Jell-O shot to the nurse's office. After that, just four children remained in her class, officials said. The party took place just before holiday break, and the investigating officer interviewed teachers when they returned to work Jan. 6. 'During the interviews I was told, while some of the teachers found it odd that Bernal would bring Jell-O shots to an elementary school party, they were trusting Bernal to not bring anything harmful to the school party. Bernal was an involved parent and was present at many functions at the school,' the file said. The Facebook sweets business Bernal had purchased the shots from had a clear disclaimer on its website stating the shots were made with Smirnoff vodka, the affidavit said. 'In my opinion, there is no way Bernal could have missed the fact that the Jell-O shots she purchased … and brought to her daughter's 5th grade Christmas party contained drinking alcohol,' the officer wrote in the affidavit. Testing of the shots also indicated the shots did contain ethanol. Bernal was arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail on Monday and posted $75,000 bond the same day. It's not immediately clear if she's retained an attorney. The Tyler Independent School District said it was aware of Bernal's arrest. "At the time, a parent volunteer brought homemade Jello to the celebration, which was later found to contain alcohol. Unfortunately, some students consumed the Jello before the situation was discovered. Staff acted immediately to address the situation, informing parents and working with law enforcement," the district said. The district said Bernal has not been allowed back to campus. "We take this matter very seriously and remain committed to the safety and well-being of our students," the statement said. This article was originally published on
New York Post
25-04-2025
- New York Post
Texas mom arrested after giving spiked Jell-O shots to class of 5th-graders
A Texas elementary school party got a little wobbly when a mom brought booze-filled Jell-O shots for the kids. Cops in the town of Tyler arrested Teresa Isabel Bernal, 33, on Monday for her intoxicating party favors, which she said was an accident. Bernal said she bought the Jell-O shots for her daughter's Christmas last December from a local confectioner she found on Facebook — but she thought they contained no alcohol, according to a police affidavit obtained by NBC. Teresa Isabel Bernal, arrested for allegedly giving alcoholic treats to kids. Smith County The alcoholic Jell-O shots Bernal contributed to her daughter's Christmas party. elvis santana – Fifteen kids ate the colorful shots, which had been arranged on a table alongside more innocent treats. Almost all of them reported 'having stomach aches and headaches, the affidavit said. One kid couldn't stay on his feet, another vomited, and a third 'passed out.' Bernal said she thought the shots 'do taste different,' but claimed she only realized they contained alcohol after the tots had taken them, officials told NBC. However, some of her daughter's teachers could taste the alcohol, and they sent all of the kids who had eaten them to the nurses office, the officials said. Only four kids stayed behind. 'During the interviews I was told, while some of the teachers found it odd that Bernal would bring Jell-O shots to an elementary school party, they were trusting Bernal to not bring anything harmful to the school party. Bernal was an involved parent and was present at many functions at the school,' an investigator wrote in the affidavit. The officer said they did not believe Bernard got the kids liquored up by accident. 'In my opinion, there is no way Bernal could have missed the fact that the Jell-O shots she purchased … and brought to her daughter's 5th grade Christmas party contained drinking alcohol,' the officer wrote, adding that the Facebook business that sold the shots made it clear they contained alcohol. Bernal left jail Monday after posting a $75,000 bond. She has been banned from school grounds, the school district told NBC.
