Teacher arrested after ‘weed gummies left out in open’ in class and pupils ate them

Usa today news

3 hours ago

Debra McGillem allegedly left weed gummies out in the classroom, where students later ate them (Picture: Steuben County Sheriff’s Office)

The Steuben County Sheriff's Office is investigating an alleged incident involving suspected THC edibles that occurred at Angola High School. On the morning of 11/14/2025, The Sheriff's School Resource Deputy was made aware of an incident involving the ingestion of THC by two students that had occurred the previous afternoon during the last class period of the day. As more information was gathered, Sheriff's detectives were called to assist in the investigation. The preliminary investigation indicated that the two students involved were in class at the time of the incident and were unaware that the candy they ate contained THC. The candy was reportedly located inside the classroom out in the open. Further investigation determined that the candy was brought into the classroom by the teacher identified as 49-year-old Debra L. McGillem of Reading, MI. As the investigation continued additional food items suspected of containing THC were allegedly located in McGillem's possession. Detectives conducted interviews of the students involved as well as McGillem who had driven to the Sheriff's Office. During McGillem's interview, observations were made and information was developed to believe that she had operated a vehicle while impaired. Following the interviews, McGillem was booked into the Steuben County Jail on the following preliminary charges. Level 6 felony Neglect of a Dependent Level 6 felony Possession of a Controlled Substance on School Property Class C misdemeanor Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated She remains held in lieu of an $6,500.00 bond. The incident remains under investigation by the Sheriff's Office and a report was made to the Indiana Department of Child Services — Debra McGillem allegedly left weed gummies out in the classroom, where students later ate them (Picture: Steuben County Sheriff’s Office)

Two Angola High School students accidentally ate weed gummies that had allegedly been left in a classroom by a teacher, police said.

The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation Friday morning after a school resource deputy reported that two students had consumed THC sweets during their final class on Thursday.

Deputies wrote that the students were unaware that the sweets contained THC and that they were reportedly inside the classroom, out in the open.

Investigations revealed that 49-year-old Debra McGillem, an Indiana language arts teacher at the school, allegedly brought the gummies onto the premises.

The police took Ms McGillem into custody where more suspected THC gummies were found on her person.

Ms McGillem faces charges of neglect of a dependent, possession of a controlled substance and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

She was taken to the sheriff’s office on a $6,500 bond and remains in jail.

The school addressed the situation in a Facebook post to parents: ‘The school district is aware that an MSDSC staff member has been booked into the Steuben County Jail.

‘The district has initiated an internal investigation, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with district policy and applicable law.’

After the arrest was announced, students came to McGillen’s defence.

‘Im (sic) a senior at Angola High-school and she was the best teacher in that school by far,’ Josh Carroll wrote on Facebook.

‘She doesn’t deserve all the hate and disrespect. She’s a human being, people make mistakes just like we all do.’

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