Chemistry Teacher Accused Of Giving Students Chloroform

LIVINGSTON, Calif. (CBS13/AP) -- A Central California high school chemistry teacher is under arrest as police investigate reports that she helped students ingest chloroform.

Police arrested Japhia Huhndorf Monday on suspicion of felony child endangerment.  The chemical can cause feelings of euphoria, but in high levels can cause unconsciousness or even death.

Police say the 34-year-old teacher helped three male students at Livingston High School inhale the anesthetic at least three times over the past five months. They say it happened during after-school study hall sessions.

"The only thing we've been able to figure out is the teacher didn't feel it was an issue.  She thought it was okay for them to do that," said Livingston Police Sgt. Ray Fong.

However, one of the teens who allegedly inhaled the chloroform tells CBS13 his teacher is innocent.

"She's paying the price for our stupidity, the cops are blowing it out of proportion," said the teen.

He says Hundorph did not know and was not in the room when he tried the drug.

Sgt. Fong says investigators believe Huhndorf first ordered the chloroform this year but did not use it in her curriculum.

Fong says the students do not face charges.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)