Deputies: Kentucky substitute teacher downed vodka, endangered kids

GEORGETOWN, Ky. — A substitute teacher in Kentucky has been jailed for allegedly endangering middle school students by teaching while drunk.

WKYT-TV reports 32-year-old Brook Ellen West was arrested Monday on charges of public intoxication and endangering the welfare of a minor.

Scott County Sheriff’s deputies say she told authorities she had four shots of vodka while teaching a class at Royal Springs Middle School in Georgetown. They say she smelled of alcohol, was unsteady on her feet, yelled and cursed at the children, and had a blood alcohol content level of .317.

Scott County Schools says the teacher is no longer employed by the district in any capacity.

In a statement to WKYT, Scott County Schools said West was filling in for a half-day opening during the afternoon and was demonstrating “erratic behavior.”

“School staff acted immediately upon learning of this behavior. Scott County Sheriff’s Department escorted the substitute off school grounds later charging her with alcohol intoxication,” the school district said in the statement. “The individual is no longer employed by Scott County Schools in any capacity.”