Disgraced sixth grade teacher arrested for 'buying drugs for teenage girl who died the next day'



A sixth grade Maths teacher in Atlanta has been arrested for facilitating a drug deal that led to the death of an 18-year-old girl.



According to local authorities, Emily Smith, a teacher who colleagues describe as 'smart and engaging', made phone calls and sent text messages on behalf of the victim relating to the sale of Methadone and Xanax the day before the teenager was found dead.



The victim who passed away in her sleep on February 13, the night of the alleged drug deal, was a 2012 high school graduate and local to the Winder area and is said to have babysat on occasion for Ms Smith's own child.

Disgraced: Sixth grade teacher Emily Smith from Winder, Atlanta, is accused of arranging a drug deal for a teenage girl who was found dead the next day

Parents and school staff of the Winder Barrow Middle School where Ms Smith was employed were speechless at the news of the arrest. One parent told local WSBTV reporters: 'It's crazy,' while another admitted: 'I'm shocked. I didn't know that.'



Captain Faye Spaulding confirmed in a statement: 'Ms. Smith conspired with the victim by cellphone in reference to obtaining a controlled substance prior to her death.'

She added that although the cause of death has not yet been determined, toxicology reports showed high levels of controlled substances in the teenager's victim.



'We're not sure how or why at this time in the investigation, she [Smith] was trying to obtain controlled substances for this teenager,' Spaulding confessed.

Shock: Parents and staff at Winder Barrow Middle School (pictured) were amazed to hear the news about the popular sixth grade teacher who was described as 'smart and engaging'

Ms Smith was detained yesterday but posted bond at $8000 and returned home where she refused to answer the door to reporters.



One neighbour who spoke up, told WSBTV: 'It's unbelievable, I moved here to Winder because it's a small town and you don't hear or think of those things happening here.'



Although Ms Smith has not been found to have dealt drugs on school grounds, in the wake of her arrest on Wednesday, the disgraced teacher has since been fired from her position at Winder Barrow Middle School.

School superintendent Wanda Creel released a statement on Thursday evening confirming her termination after 14 years of service to the school.



According to Ms Creel's statement, Ms Smith has been criminally charged with distribution/solicitation with an electronic device, reckless conduct, and criminal intent to distribute methadone.

