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. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin