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WBMS teacher arrested in connection with teen's death

Posted by

Susan Norman

in Public Safety Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News

Thursday, March 7. 2013

Comments (18)

A female Winder-Barrow Middle School teacher was arrested March 6 in connection with the suspected drug-related death of a Winder teenager. Barrow County school superintendent Wanda Creel released a statement at 6:10 p.m. March 7 confirming the arrest and saying the teacher as of 5:39 p.m. Thursday "is no longer an employee with the Barrow County School System.”

Creel said an ethics complaint would be filed with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission against Emily Jones, who taught sixth-grade math and had worked for the school system for 14 years. The sheriff's office has identified the teacher as Emily Susan Smith. Both the school system and a defense attorney have identified her as Emily Jones.

According to the school superintendent's statement, the teacher was charged with distribution/solicitation with an electronic device, reckless conduct, and criminal intent to distribute methadone.

A BCSO press release Friday alleged that the teacher "assisted the victim via cell phone in reference to obtaining a controlled substance prior to her death." The press release also states that the "victim was allowed to supervise Smith's minor child at the time they were attempting to obtain a controlled substance."

Sheriff Jud Smith said the teacher was allowed to turn herself in on March 6 so that the middle school students would not have to witness her arrest. He said the suspect spent about six hours in the Barrow County Detention Center and was released the same day on an $8,000 bond. Based on the preliminary investigation, it does not appear that the teacher had been distributing drugs on school grounds, he said.

The alleged victim was 18 years old and a 2012 graduate of Winder-Barrow High School. She died a couple of weeks ago in her sleep. A source said she was a close friend of the suspect and had been a regular babysitter for the teacher's child.

Athens Attorney Michael C. Daniel notified the Barrow Journal on Friday morning that he is representing Emily Jones.

He said his client denies culpability in the case and clarified that she was not fired but resigned from her teaching position with the understanding that she could be rehired if she is acquitted.

Said the attorney: “Mrs. Jones denies the allegations brought by the Barrow County Sheriff’s Department. Ms. Jones has had an exemplary 13 year career with the Barrow County School District. She resigned her position to focus on defending herself. She choose to resign based on the agreement that the School District will consider her for re-hire once the charges are dealt with.”

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#1 Amazed on 03/07/13 at 06:04 PM [Reply]

What the heck, teachers are now providing drugs to children here in Barrow County? It's a dark day!!!

#2 Highlighting on 03/07/13 at 06:47 PM [Reply]

Take away the title "teacher" which does nothing but construct a view meant to purposely incite the public on moral chargers rather than legal, and you get the real problem: Drugs and Barrow County.

Take a look at the legal notices, charges, and convictions of many of the people in this very newspaper and you will see a problem that has overtaken this county. Things need to be done about drugs here. It is (if it hasn't already) become a drug-haven.

#3 Teacher on 03/07/13 at 07:03 PM [Reply]

Really? That's the first thing that comes to mind at this tragic point in two families' lives? Try not to sound ignorant. "Teachers" are not providing drugs to children. "A" teacher did. And it's being dealt with properly. Let's don't bundle us all up into a tidy package and try to to fan the flames. This is tragic all the way around.

#4 deeplysaddened on 03/07/13 at 07:32 PM [Reply]

Actually the the teenager was 18 years old.

#4.1 Amazed on 03/07/13 at 07:37 PM [Reply]

Yes, I say again a "kid" who graduated just last year from Winder Barrow.

#4.1.1 deeplysaddened on 03/07/13 at 08:49 PM [Reply]

But she chose to partake in the actual activity. I'm not picking a side when I say that. Neither side is innocent in this tragedy. My heart is deeply saddened for both sides.

#5 Shocked on 03/07/13 at 10:34 PM [Reply]

I went to school there when she was a teacher,she wasmt my teacher but a lot of my friends had her. She was a awesome teacher tegardless what she has done. Yes drugs have become a major problem but "kids" dont have to do them, and it was one teacher not teachers.. That girl would have gotten her hands on them one way or another even if Ms. Jones didnt.

#6 ZERO TOLERANCE on 03/08/13 at 02:53 AM [Reply]

ZERO TOLERANCE! Zero tolerance is the policy that governs teens, surely it will ruin the life of the teacher also! We shall see!

#6.1 A Mother Concerned on 03/08/13 at 02:24 PM [Reply]

Methadone is given to patients for drug addiction, so if this is true then why is a teacher with a prior drug addiction allowed to work for our school system?

#6.1.1 deeplysaddened on 03/08/13 at 08:47 PM [Reply]

If we stopped every person with an illness from working in the school system we would have no teachers.Drug addiction is an illness. I'm not supporting the decision this teacher made at all, it was bad, really bad. However, all the blame cannot be put on Ms.Smith.

#6.1.1.1 Robert on 03/17/13 at 10:53 AM [Reply]

I need to correct both your assumption and your statement. Drug addiction is a choice, first. It is NOT an illness. I am a certified drug addiction counselor. I should know.

#6.1.1.1.1 Highlighting on 03/17/13 at 07:14 PM [Reply]

Since this site does not allow for links in the message, let me implore you to google: Is drug addiction a disease?

First link. It is a government sponsored website. National Institute on Drug Abuse.

You must have gotten your certificate from one of those "online" universities.

#7 Odins Eye on 03/08/13 at 07:10 AM [Reply]

What ?? I can't believe that the DEA and the war on drugs did not, could not save this child.
Charges will not stick....at 18 you are an adult, you own your body, if you choose to abuse it, thats your choice.

The War on Drugs; 50years of failure.
Educate dont legislate.

#8 Tonya Roberts on 03/08/13 at 11:35 AM [Reply]

My heart goes out to this family. Unfortunately these deaths are not uncommon. There were 5000 methadone related deaths in 2009. Patients being treated with methadone for drug addiction are allowed "take home" doses. Since when is it a good idea to give a "high risk" patient a "high risk" drug. We must be the voice for all our loved ones lost due to this deadly drug!

#9 abc on 03/08/13 at 12:22 PM [Reply]

An 18 year old is a child in a story like this, but an adult if they murder someone or have sex with a minor. None of it is right, it's just interesting to see how people adjust their perspective based on the story they're reading.

#10 BEN on 03/09/13 at 08:58 PM [Reply]

Teachers should be randomly drug tested!!! I’m not saying that would have prevented this from happening but if a teacher knew they might be drug tested when Monday morning rolled around it might make them think a little harder before they partook in illegal drugs. You would be surprised at how many teachers are doing recreational drugs. I just believe that ANYONE that is in charge of someone child should be subject to random drug testing not just when their supervisors thinks they might have done something but maybe something like a bus drivers have to do. A percent of the total amount of bus drivers are randomly drug tested each and every month state mandated.

#10.1 unbelievable on 03/14/13 at 08:46 AM [Reply]

I agree. Everybody has rushed to her side (Smith), but no matter if the victim was 13 or 18 wrong is wrong somebody died. Is it because of who she is makes it excusable so this teacher is excused? Why they are not being drug tested is something I would like explained. Citizens of this county need to demand drug testing for all working in the school system. Their are some great teachers in this system that work so hard and bad apples need to be threw away.

#11 MollyRose on 03/16/13 at 11:08 AM [Reply]

The very fact that she was "helping" someone finds drugs is a very strong indicator that she (1) does not use sound judgement, (2)she probably indulges in drugs herself, or (3) at the very least is a very *$tupid person.

None of these indicate a person of sound moral character or intelligence, and she should not be teaching kids of any age. This is inexcusable. She should be charged with accessory to manslaughter, spend some time in jail, and never be allowed to teach again. Even if this is a first time offense (which I strongly doubt) she should not get a pass or any sympathy from any of us. She did an evil thing. INstead of helping the young lady find drugs, why doesn't she help counsel her or at least get her some help. The young lady was not free of blame but the teacher should not have helped her in her quest for illegal drugs.

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