District issues statement after sub accused of being drunk at high school

CAYCE, SC (WIS) - Lexington School District Two says a substitute teacher accused of being drunk in school was not a district employee.

The Irmo woman was arrested and accused of being drunk at Brookland-Cayce High School Friday, according to the Lexington County Sheriff's Department.

Judith Elizabeth Richards-Gartee, 52, was arrested Friday after an administrator at the school called a resource officer about her being intoxicated.

On Monday, the school district issued this statement:

On Friday, March 10, 2017, it was reported to the Administration of Brookland-Cayce School that a substitute teacher was behaving erratically and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.  This substitute is not an employee of the District, but works for Kelly Services.  Kelly contracts with the District to provide substitute teachers.

The Administration responded immediately, removing the substitute from the classroom and sending her to the School Resource Officer. The District has been advised that law enforcement has filed criminal charges against the Kelly employee.

Richards-Gartee was later found in possession of an open container of alcohol. She was charged with disorderly conduct and released to the care of paramedics who took her to the hospital.

The sheriff's department says it will not be releasing any more information regarding this incident.

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