Pubdate: Fri, 04 Mar 2005
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)
Copyright: 2005 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.jsonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265
Author: Linda Spice
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

MOTHER OF CHILD WHO BROUGHT DRUGS TO SCHOOL CHARGED WITH POSSESSION

Classmates Said 3rd-Grader Had Marijuana In Baggie

CUDAHY  - The mother of a third-grader who brought marijuana to his
elementary school in Cudahy and showed it to other students was
charged Thursday in Milwaukee County with drug possession, court
records show.

The woman, 38, of the 3700 block of E. Pulaski Ave., told authorities
she used the drug recreationally to relax from the stress of her
children and job at a pizza restaurant in Milwaukee.

If convicted of the misdemeanor charge, she could face a maximum
penalty of $1,000 fine and six months in prison.

She is not being named to protect the identity of her son, 9. She
could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Police were alerted to the case Tuesday morning by Kosciuszko
Elementary School Principal Gary Schlunz.

The boy allegedly brought a small amount of marijuana and two rolling
papers in a plastic baggie to school, according to Cudahy police Lt.
David Aamodt.

The boy also gave another student a $50 bill he brought from home.
Police did not know why the boy had given the money to the other student.

The district would not release more information on the incident,
Schlunz said.

Schlunz referred questions to Superintendent Jim Heiden, who cited
student privacy as his reason for declining further comment on the
case.

Heiden said the district prohibits contraband in school.

Such cases ultimately are handled by the district, he said, depending
on the severity.

The incident began after schoolmates became aware that the boy had
marijuana in his backpack.

Several students reported the incident to Schlunz, who summoned the
boy to his office Tuesday morning via the public address system,
police said.

Schlunz asked the boy, "Where's the stuff?" and the boy gave his
backpack to the principal and said "it" was in one of the pockets.
Schlunz opened a side pocket and discovered the drug.

The boy told an investigating officer that he got the marijuana from
his house, along with the $50.

He said his mother and her boyfriend smoke the marijuana at home in
the evening.

The boyfriend was not arrested in connection with the case.

When police searched the boy's home, they obtained 24.2 grams of
marijuana, valued at about $100, three marijuana pipes and a pack of
rolling papers, Aamodt said.

Cudahy police referred the case to the Bureau of Milwaukee Child
Welfare, Aamodt said.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin