Watch CBS News

Teacher Arrested On Suspicion Of Giving Teenage Students Alcohol

THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4) - A high school teacher in Thornton has been fired and is under arrest after allegedly providing alcohol and pot edibles to students.

Leslie Carlson, 28, was a high school teacher at Pinnacle High School located on 8412 Huron Street.

Map
(credit: CBS)

Thornton police say Carlson gave alcohol to three teen students multiple times "at various locations" in nearby Thornton. They say the alcohol wasn't provided on the grounds of the school.

The students were described as being between the ages of 14 and 18.

"The allegation indicates that she did provide alcohol outside of the school property to juveniles," said Thornton police spokesman Sgt. Matt Kandt.

The school says Carlson was placed on paid administrative leave on Monday when they first learned of the investigation and she has since been terminated.

"We do have some policies that indicate that the teachers who put students on their Facebook page, Facebook, or invite them to their house for non-school events, is in violation. So this is what took place, this is why she was terminated," said Pinnacle High School Director Dr. William Weiner.

Leslie Carlson, Leslie Turner
Leslie Carlson (credit: Thornton Police)

Police said it's not clear what the time frame is for when the alleged criminal activity took place.

Pinnacle turned over their information to Thornton Police on Friday morning. Police will determine if Carlson did anything criminal by allegedly providing that alcohol to students and if any other substances were involved.

"We put her in custody based on the allegations, based on the position of trust. We'll continue the investigation and follow up with the victims, any of the witnesses and try to establish more information as to exactly what did occur," said Kandt.

Wiener shared a letter sent to staff about the situation with CBS4. It didn't make a mention of alcohol but stated, in part, "We do not condone befriending students on social media, inviting students to our homes for non-school related activities, or other activities which blur the student-teacher boundary."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.