Mother of Urbana student, 7, who was high on cocaine at school pleads guilty

North Elementary School in Urbana where a 7-year-old student came to school high on cocaine in April. Bill Lackey/Staff

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

North Elementary School in Urbana where a 7-year-old student came to school high on cocaine in April. Bill Lackey/Staff

The mother of a 7-year-old Urbana student who came to school high on cocaine last month pleaded guilty to criminal charges stemming from the incident.

The mother pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, aggravated possession of drugs and endangering children in Champaign County Common Pleas Court, according to court documents obtained by the Springfield News-Sun. She could face about two years in prison, according to the documents.

This news organization is not identifying the mother to protect the identity of the child.

CRIME: Getaway driver, second suspect still sought after man convicted

She is due in court on May 29 for a sentencing hearing, according to records.

Police began their investigation when they were called to North Elementary, one of the district’s kindergarten and first-grade schools, on April 16 because the child was acting very unusual in the late morning, according to police and school officials.

“The student was drowsy, groggy and they thought there might be a blood sugar question,” Urbana Superintendent Charles Thiel said at the time.

TRENDING: Coroner called to reported shooting at Yellow Springs vet clinic

Thiel said the student’s classroom was quarantined and administrators called 911.

The student was taken to Urbana Mercy Health Hospital, where it was determined the substance in the student’s system was cocaine, according to officials.

The child received treatment and was later released.

“It’s a terrible situation for one of our youngest students to have to be in an environment in which the ingestion of an illegal substance occurs,” Thiel said.

HEALTH: Mumps outbreak reported at University of Cincinnati

The mother of the child appeared to be under the influence of multiple drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl, when she showed up at the hospital, according to police.

Police say it’s likely the student inhaled the drug prior to the start of the school day while staying at a Springfield home.

About the Authors