New Jersey school teacher allegedly snorted morphine in front of kids, prosecutor says
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A teacher was arrested after allegedly snorting morphine at his desk. (Eagleswood Township School District)
A New Jersey elementary school teacher snorted morphine in front of students and another faculty member last week, prosecutors said.
Michael Palladino, a 43-year-old teacher at Eagleswood Township Elementary School, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and official misconduct, NJ.com reported Monday, citing a Dec. 3 Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office complaint.
“Specifically, by ingesting a controlled dangerous substance through his nostril, at his desk in a classroom during school hours in the presence of another teacher and students,” the complaint said, referring to the official misconduct charge.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Palladino allegedly had three morphine tablets at his desk and a Bic pen he used as a straw, prosecutors said.
Eagleswood Township Elementary School has students from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade, but it wasn't listed which grade Palladino teaches.
It was not immediately clear what, if any, disciplinary actions had been taken against Palladino by the school.