Teacher charged after thc gummies ingested by students in indiana high school
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Teacher charged after THC gummies ingested by students in Indiana high school

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1 min read
November 20, 2025

Angola, IN – A high school teacher is facing legal issues after two students consumed THC gummies, mistakenly believing they were regular candy. The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation following a report on Friday morning regarding the incident, which occurred on Thursday during the last class period.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the students ate the gummies in class and were not aware the candy contained THC. Additional findings indicated that Debra McGillem, a 49-year-old language arts teacher at Angola High School, had brought the gummies to school.

McGillem, who lives in Reading, Michigan, approximately 25 miles from the school, was taken into custody by law enforcement. Deputies discovered additional suspected THC gummies in her possession, and she was reportedly operating a vehicle while impaired.

Charges against McGillem include neglect of a dependent and possession of a controlled substance on school property, both categorized as level 6 felonies. She also faces a misdemeanor charge for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Additionally, the Indiana Department of Child Services has been notified of the incident.

The teacher was booked into the Steuben County Jail with a bond set at $6,500. She remained in custody as of Saturday morning.

Matthew L. Widenhoefer, superintendent of Metropolitan School District of Steuben County, addressed the situation to parents in a Facebook post. He stated that the district is aware of the matter and is conducting an internal investigation, emphasizing that appropriate disciplinary actions will follow district policies and applicable laws.

Phil Stilton

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