First grade teacher arrested after underage drinking party lands teen in hospital

SOUTH BRUNSWICK (WABC) -- Police have arrested a South Brunswick woman after an underage drinking party left one teen with a blood alcohol level so high medical officials it could have been life threatening.

Tracey Harding, 50, was arrested and charged with second-degree child endangerment. She is a first-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Edison, New Jersey, where school officials announced she has been suspended pending further investigation.

According to investigators, police received a 911 call from a woman who said she could not reach her son who was at a birthday party at a Homestead Lane residence on Friday night.

The mother said she called her son's phone several times without an answer. The last time she called, another person answered his phone and said her son was sleeping.

The mother became concerned and called Harding, who also indicated the 15-year-old was sleeping.

The mother decided to head to the house to check on him and called 911.

Officers found the teen semi responsive and heavily intoxicated when they arrived at the home. Several other teenagers were located in and around the home. Monmouth Junction First Aid Squad transported the juvenile to St. Peters University Hospital.

Investigators say the teenagers had been drinking vodka, beer and other alcohol. At some point the victim began to slur his words and not make any sense. Harding came downstairs after the victim's mom called the house and saw the victim lying face down on the basement floor. Harding was aware of the teenager's condition when she went to the basement. No one from the home called for medical assistance as the teenager laid semi-conscious on the floor.

Medical officials said had his mother not come to the home, his condition could have become life threatening. The victim was treated and released after several hours at the hospital.

"As a parent or a guardian you have a responsibility with underage drinking and you face penalties if you allow it to go on in your home," Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said. "No one in this home contacted police or EMS to get this teenager help when he was in distress. This could have ended in tragedy if not for one Mom's intuition."

Harding was released on $2,500 bail.