No Charges For Second-Grade Teacher Who Was Drunk At Work: Authorities

LIVE OAK, CA — A second-grade teacher will not face charges after she instructed her young students while drunk at a Northern California elementary school, according to reports.

Wendy Munson, 57, was arrested Oct. 2, 2023, at Nuestro School in Live Oak on suspicion of driving under the influence and child endangerment, the Sutter County District Attorney's Office said this week in a news release.

However, investigators were unable to establish if Munson was drunk when she drove to the school or if she became intoxicated after arriving at work, according to the news release, which added that no information during the probe indicated Munson’s class was endangered.

“The mere potential that a situation could arise is insufficient to meet the requirements under the law,” the news release said. “While the District Attorney’s Office agrees that it is highly inappropriate to teach while intoxicated, it is, unfortunately, not illegal.”

Several hours after deputies were called about the situation, Munson’s blood-alcohol level was 0.20 percent and 0.19 percent, more than twice the 0.08 percent that qualifies as an intoxicated reading for California drivers, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Munson’s employment status at the school was unclear as of this week, according to the Times.