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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D