A third-grade teacher’s arrest unfolded due to allegations of her being under the influence during the first day of school, prompting her removal from the classroom for her unusual behavior.
Kimberly Coates, aged 53, was discovered to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) three times over the legal limit while instructing students last Thursday at Perkins-Tryon Intermediate School in Perkins, Oklahoma.
Recently released bodycam footage captures the moment officers and school officials addressed the bewildered teacher. She tearfully implored not to be apprehended within the school premises as Superintendent Doug Ogle inquired about the content of the blue cup she had been drinking from that morning.
Coates, in response, stated, “My juice,” before being interrupted by a school resource officer who unveiled the truth: “Want to try again? That there is wine,” the officer stated after detecting the scent.
Coates attempted to justify her erratic conduct by attributing it to anxiety medication she had taken. However, a breathalyzer test revealed a BAC level of 0.24, triple the legal driving limit of 0.08.
Although she denied consuming alcohol during her work hours, Coates confessed to having consumed “half a box of wine” the preceding night, a habit that extended until after 3 a.m.
She admitted, “I drank out of that yesterday… I didn’t drink out of it today. I drank out of that coming to work yesterday.”
When confronted by Sgt. Spencer Gedon, Coates conceded to drinking alcohol on her way to work that Thursday morning. Gedon challenged her account, stating, “Unless you drank a ton at like 8 o’clock this morning, I don’t know how you could still be that high.”
Ogle also contested her statement, noting her apparent normalcy earlier in the morning before classes commenced at 8:25 a.m.
As the officer informed her of her impending arrest, Coates broke down, pleading not to be taken into custody.
Coates was eventually escorted from the school and later booked at the Payne County Detention Center for public intoxication.
The school district released a statement, expressing their engagement in an internal inquiry into the incident while also cooperating with law enforcement.
Amid discussions about her employment, Ogle informed Coates that she would likely be terminated, yet he extended the option of resigning, given her condition.
“You’re under the influence at school with kids. That cannot happen,” Ogle emphasized.
The incident culminated in Coates’ removal from the school and subsequent booking at the Payne County Detention Center for public intoxication. The school district reiterated its commitment to conducting an internal investigation while working in conjunction with law enforcement.