Bennett teacher, wife of mayor tried to get ADHD pills from student, deputies say

A teacher at James M. Bennett High School was charged with attempted possession of an illegal drug Friday.

Elizabeth Day, wife of Salisbury Mayor Jake Day, was charged with attempted possession of a controlled dangerous substance that was not marijuana, as well as contributing to certain conditions of a child, according to court documents.

Both charges are misdemeanors.

UPDATE: Bennett High teacher pleads guilty to drug possession charge, gets jail sentence

A statement on behalf of Day’s attorney, John K. Phoebus, was issued Friday afternoon.

“Mrs. Day is committed to her family, her children, and the Salisbury community," the statement reads. "While she is cooperating with the investigation, she is presumed innocent of these charges.”

Jake Day issued a statement Friday afternoon.

“This is a very difficult time for our family. My wife, Elizabeth, is a great mother to our two children and committed to this community. Liz has dealt with challenges that millions of Americans have, and though she must now live through those challenges in the public eye, I know the health and well-being of our family is the single most important thing in her life," Jake Day said. "In this moment, my role is to love and support my wife and our children, and that’s what I intend to do.

Elizabeth Day, who is a physical education teacher, asked her student to get ADHD medication for her by text messages and Snapchat, according to court documents. A report alleging the solicitation was filed Dec. 9 through Child Protective Services.

The student told investigators with the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office that Day asked if they had any ADHD medication, according to court documents. The student told Day they did not, and Day asked the student if they could get any from friends, the court documents state.

The student reported Day contacted them on more than one occasion to ask if they were able to get any medication, court documents state. The student said they were instructed by Day to not save those messages, according to court documents.

The student then contacted Day at the direction of the sheriff’s office and agreed to exchange two prescription ADHD pills for $20 in a school locker room Dec. 10. The conversation was recorded by investigators.

Day was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, according to a Friday statement from Wicomico schools Superintendent Donna Hanlin.

"Wicomico County public schools is working in full cooperation with the legal system in this matter. Our first priority is always the safety and well-being of our students and staff. As this is an ongoing investigation, Wicomico County public schools cannot provide any additional information," the school system's statement reads.

Day was released on her own recognizance Friday morning, according to online court records.

Day is scheduled for a Wicomico district court trial Feb. 3, court documents show.

The charge of contributing to certain conditions of a child, according to Maryland code, is an illegal act "for an adult willfully to contribute to, encourage, cause or tend to cause any act, omission or condition which results in a violation, renders a child delinquent or in need of supervision."

This is at least the fifth Wicomico County public schools educator to have been suspended and/or criminally charged in the past 12 months, according to Sheriff Mike Lewis.

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Follow reporter Lucas Gonzalez on Twitter @fez_irl.