A second-grade teacher in northern California will face no criminal charges because “It is not illegal to teach drunk,” according to the Sutter County District Attorney.
Nuestro Elementary educator Wendy Munson was arrested in October after a staffer reported the 57-year-old teacher appeared to be intoxicated on the job, according to CBS News.
Munson was accused of suspicion of DUI because police who administered a sobriety test believed she drove to work after drinking. She reportedly failed that test, but prosecutors couldn’t prove she operated a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
“It could not be established that Munson was under the influence when she drove to the school, as opposed to drinking only after arriving there,” District Attorney Jennifer Dupre’s office posted on Facebook.
The D.A.’s office said it spent months investigating Munson’s case and couldn’t prove she’d committed a crime. Prosecutors said they “don’t condone” teachers being under the influence of alcohol at school, but it’s not against the law.
Several Live Oak, Calif., parents expressed outrage the teacher seemingly drank before coming to work or consumed alcohol while in a liquor-free zone and was not facing criminal charges. Her standing at the school is unclear.
Munson’s name doesn’t appear on Nuestro Elementary’s staff directory. The school hasn’t responded to a request for comment. A message to a social media page appearing to belong to Munson seeking comment got no reply.
