Pubdate: Wed, 24 Dec 2014
Source: Examiner, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2014 Rural Press Ltd
Contact:  http://www.examiner.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/143

CANTON TEACHER ALLEGEDLY ALLOWED HER CHILDREN, OTHER MINORS TO SMOKE POT

A 40-year-old middle school teacher was arrested Tuesday for allegedly
allowing minors to smoke marijuana at her home in Cherokee County  and
two of them may have been her children.

Christine Cantrell, a Teasley Middle School in Canton, was charged
with possession of marijuana less than an ounce, contributing to the
delinquency of a minor and keeping a disorderly house, meaning she
allowed illegal activity to occur there, according to Cherokee County
officials. Cantrell's husband, Jeff, was also arrested on similar
charges, Commander of the Cherokee County Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad
Phil Price said. Both were released on $3,000 bonds Tuesday night,
Price said.

Investigators began looking into the couple after a concerned parent
called in a tip about a month ago about suspicious activities in the
home, Price said. Officers began investigating and found middle school
students who confirmed the Cantrells' illegal activities to
investigators, according to a media report.

They also found more neighbors who said there have been suspicious
activities going on at the home for several months, Price said. But
for those months no one came forward until they received the first tip
came in a month ago, he said.

On Tuesday, investigators showed up at the couple's home and was
granted access, he said. Once inside, officers could smell marijuana
and allegedly found less than an ounce in an area that they believe
was set aside specifically for smoking, Price said. They also found
three teens, ages 14 to 17, inside the home, Price said. One or two of
the children are Christine Cantrell's from a previous marriage, he
said.

It's unclear how many children have allegedly been allowed to smoke
marijuana inside the home and how many of them attended the school
were Cantrell is a teacher, Price said. Still, the investigation is
ongoing, and officers have contacted the Division of Family and
Children Services as well as the school district.

"She is in a position where she is looked up to by these kids so it's
unfortunate that this happened," Price said.

Cherokee County School District spokeswoman Barbara Jacoby told
Channel 2 Action News that an administrative investigation into the
allegations against Cantrell is underway.

"The teacher in question will be reassigned to a non-classroom setting
until the investigation is concluded," Jacoby said.
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