Latest news with #TylerIndependentSchoolDistrict
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
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
NBC News
25-04-2025
- NBC News
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.
