A third-grade teacher in Payne County, Oklahoma, was arrested on school premises last Thursday, accused of being under the influence of alcohol while on duty. Kimberly Coates, who teaches at Perkins-Tryon Intermediate School, was suspected of unusual behavior by school officials in the afternoon.
The school district’s superintendent requested the school resource officer to administer a breathalyzer test to Coates. Following the test, which confirmed the presence of alcohol in her system, she was arrested and escorted off the property. Perkins Police Sgt. Spencer Gedon commended the school’s swift action, stating that they acted promptly to ensure the safety of everyone at the school.
The superintendent’s office released a statement, emphasizing the district’s commitment to providing a safe learning environment for students. They also confirmed their cooperation with law enforcement as the investigation continues.
Upon arrival at the school around 3 p.m., police concluded that Coates had been consuming wine on her way to work that morning. The breathalyzer test indicated that she was three times over the legal limit for alcohol consumption. A cup, recently used and smelling of alcohol, was found in her bag in her classroom.
Coates could potentially face charges for public intoxication, according to the police. The incident is still under investigation.
Coates initially tried to attribute her behavior to anxiety medication she had taken. However, a breathalyzer test revealed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.24, three times the legal driving limit of 0.08. Despite denying drinking on the job, Coates admitted to consuming “half a box of wine” the previous night, continuing until after 3 a.m.
When informed of her arrest, Coates became distraught, pleading not to be taken into custody. She was eventually removed from the school and booked at the Payne County Detention Center for public intoxication.
The school district is conducting an internal investigation of the incident while cooperating