Introduction to the Incident
A Texas mother who officials say took alcoholic Jell-O shots to her child’s elementary school Christmas party has been arrested.
Teresa Isabel Bernal, 33, was charged with injury to a child in connection to a party Dec. 20 at Jones Elementary School in Tyler, Texas.
Details of the Arrest
Bernal purchased the Jell-O shots from a home business she found on Facebook, according to the arrest affidavit. The shots were laid out on a table along with treats students had brought to share in a cafeteria where fifth-grade classes gathered, officials said. Fifteen students consumed the shots, and nearly all reported “having stomach aches and headaches,” the affidavit said.
Effects on the Students
One student told police he vomited twice at school that day, and another student said he “passed out” at school after consuming the Jell-O shot, according to the affidavit. One student reported that he had six Jell-O shots and got dizzy. When he returned to his classroom, he “got dizzy and fell and felt like he could not get back on his feet,” the affidavit said.
Investigation
When questioned by a Tyler Independent School District police officer, Bernal said she did not know the shots contained alcohol, but conceded “they do taste different,” the arrest affidavit said. She said she discovered the shots had alcohol only after the children had consumed some of them, according to officials. A teacher told police that two other teachers tried the shots and said they believed the shots contained alcohol. The teacher tried one herself but couldn’t tell because of the flavor, police said.
School Response
The teacher took the kids back to her class and sent those who consumed a Jell-O shot to the nurse’s office. After that, just four children remained in her class, officials said. The party took place just before holiday break, and the investigating officer interviewed teachers when they returned to work Jan. 6. “During the interviews I was told, while some of the teachers found it odd that Bernal would bring Jell-O shots to an elementary school party, they were trusting Bernal to not bring anything harmful to the school party. Bernal was an involved parent and was present at many functions at the school,” the file said.
Purchase of the Jell-O Shots
The Facebook sweets business Bernal had purchased the shots from had a clear disclaimer on its website stating the shots were made with Smirnoff vodka, the affidavit said. “In my opinion, there is no way Bernal could have missed the fact that the Jell-O shots she purchased … and brought to her daughter’s 5th grade Christmas party contained drinking alcohol,” the officer wrote in the affidavit. Testing of the shots also indicated the shots did contain ethanol.
Aftermath
Bernal was arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail on Monday and posted $75,000 bond the same day. It’s not immediately clear if she’s retained an attorney. The Tyler Independent School District said it was aware of Bernal’s arrest. "At the time, a parent volunteer brought homemade Jello to the celebration, which was later found to contain alcohol. Unfortunately, some students consumed the Jello before the situation was discovered. Staff acted immediately to address the situation, informing parents and working with law enforcement," the district said.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of vigilance and responsibility, especially in environments involving children. The actions of the parent, though potentially misguided, led to serious consequences for both the children involved and the parent herself. The school district’s response and the legal consequences faced by the parent underscore the gravity of such actions.
FAQs
- Q: What happened at the elementary school party?
A: A parent brought Jell-O shots that contained alcohol to the party, and several students consumed them before the situation was discovered. - Q: How many students were affected?
A: Fifteen students consumed the Jell-O shots and reported symptoms such as stomach aches and headaches. - Q: What were the consequences for the parent?
A: The parent, Teresa Isabel Bernal, was arrested and charged with injury to a child. She was booked into the Smith County Jail and later posted bond. - Q: How did the school respond?
A: The school staff acted immediately to address the situation, informing parents and working with law enforcement. The parent involved has not been allowed back to campus. - Q: What is the school district’s stance on the incident?
A: The Tyler Independent School District takes the matter very seriously and remains committed to the safety and well-being of its students.
