1st-Grade Teacher Accused Of Having Underage Drinking Party At NJ Home
By Diana Rocco
SOUTH BRUNSWICK TWP., N.J, (CBS) -- Investigators say a first-grade teacher from New Jersey allegedly let her teenage sons and their friends party at their home last Friday night.
Tracey Harding, 50, is facing charges after the alleged party, which police say sent a 15-year-old boy to the hospital.
Police responded when a frantic mother called 911. She couldn't get in contact with her son, who was at Harding's home. Harding allegedly told the woman the boy was sleeping, but police say the mother later found her 15-year-old son unresponsive and suffering from alcohol poisoning in the basement. The teen was taken to the hospital.
Police say the teens were drinking vodka and beer under Harding's supervision.
"She faces up to five years in jail," said Lt. Jim Ryan. "She was actually arguing with the other mother. There was a verbal confrontation at that point in time as to how this could happen," explained Lt. Ryan.
Harding is a first grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School. The district put out a statement saying: "Upon learning of the arrest, the employee was immediately suspended pending further investigation."
There was no answer at the home Tuesday night.
It's not clear how many teenagers were at the home.
Neighbors tell Eyewitness News Harding has a 15 and a 17-year-old son.
She's been charged with 2nd degree child endangerment and was released on $2,500 bail.
