CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A Chillicothe City School District employee has come under scrutiny after suspected methamphetamine was found in her handbag. The incident unfolded at Chillicothe Primary School (CPS) when a suspicious odor was detected in the employee locker room on Wednesday.
School administrators Megan Cooper and Mary Montgomery called upon police, noting that they believed the smell was that of marijuana coming from a particular locker. The locker, which contained only a purse, was opened in the presence of the officer, who noted that the smell grew significantly stronger. The locker belonged to Tara Peecher, an employee at the Chillicothe Primary School.
When questioned about the odor, Peecher replied that she had a prescription for marijuana. The school resource officer then asked for Peecher’s consent to search her purse, to which she agreed, a police report reads.
During the search, the officer found a small red and white Altoids tin containing a thin plastic bag filled with a clear crystalline substance. Based on his training and experience, the officer suspected the substance to be methamphetamine. Peecher was promptly read her Miranda rights, which she confirmed she understood and waived.
Police said upon being questioned, Peecher denied ownership of the substance, suggesting that a friend may have placed the can in her purse. The officer informed Peecher that the substance would be sent to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) for further testing, with charges potentially being filed pending the results.
Montgomery informed Peecher that continued employment would require her to undertake a drug screen at Adena Occupational Health, which Peecher declined. She subsequently left the premises without incident. The officer filled out a pre-indictment packet, with charges expected to be presented during the next local Grand Jury session
“The employee had met all pre-employment screening requirements prior to the first day of employment,” the school said in a media release. “The district staff and Chillicothe Police Deparment worked quickly to address the issue and all students were kept safe and away from the area where the incident occured.”
The primary and intermediate schools were placed on lockdown Thursday, but the reasoning for the lockdown was an “unfounded threat,” according to officials.
If you or a loved one has an addiction, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has established a free, confidential information service (in English or Spanish), open 24 hours/365 days. Call (800) 662-HELP (4357).
This story was updated to include a statement from the school at 2:36 p.m.