A New Jersey art teacher allegedly overdosed on fentanyl in front of middle school students, resulting in his arrest, according to local police.
The Westfield Police Department shared the news in a press release, saying that 47-year-old Frank Thompson, a teacher at Roosevelt Intermediate School, was charged on Thursday after the incident.
According to the release, Thompson was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and endangering the welfare of children, all connected to the incident that happened late last year
On Nov. 29, the Westfield Police Department received reports that Thompson was “unconscious and unresponsive.” The school’s resource officer contacted the department, saying the former teacher was on the floor of a classroom.
According to police, Thompson was “discovered and observed in distress by students” while the school nurse was attempting to aid him.
However, when the school resource officer arrived at the classroom and saw his condition, he recognized signs of a drug overdose and administered the opioid overdose treatment Narcan. The art teacher then showed signs of improvement.
An investigation was launched into what caused the officer to overdose, and police said that fentanyl and “various items of drug paraphernalia” were located in a closet in the classroom.
It is unclear if Thompson is still employed with the Westfield Public School district. He is set to appear in court on Feb. 1.
The district’s Superintendent, Dr. Raymond González, has shared a statement on the incident, thanking officers for their support and noting that safety is a priority for the district.
“While the Westfield Public School District cannot comment on personnel matters which are confidential, we will maintain a continued focus on student and staff safety and on preserving the integrity of the classroom learning environment,” González said. “We are grateful for our strong partnership with the Westfield Police Department.”
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