A special needs student found drugs belonging to an elementary teacher in Chesterfield County

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WRIC 8 News reported that a Chesterfield special needs student was found with drugs belonging to an elementary teacher on Thursday, August 29.

The details

Mary Horton was arrested at Hopkins Elementary School after an officer with the Chesterfield County Police Department responded to a report of “what appeared to be methamphetamine” in her possession."

According to police, the 47-year-old teacher was charged with felony child neglect and two counts of possession of a Schedule I/II controlled substance on school property.

Court documents

Court documents obtained by 8 News on Friday, August 30, give further details about the incident.

The police officer said:

“The student discovered the drugs in a bag belonging to her teacher, Mary Horton. I opened the small zipper bag that was recovered from Horton’s backpacks and found two baggies and a [cut] straw inside.”

The officer described the two baggies’ contents as substances consistent with cocaine and methamphetamine. At first, Horton denied owning the bag. Then the officer told her that her wallet was also in the bag with the drugs.

The charges

The Chesterfield County General District Court system reflects two charges of possession of a Schedule I/II controlled substance on school property have been filed against Horton.

The felony child neglect charge is not yet reflected in the system as of the reporting time, but the officer wrote that they were advised that such a charge would be sought.