Alleged drunk first-grade teacher locks herself in school bathroom after midday booze run: cops

An alleged drunk Pennsylvania grade-school teacher went on a wild booze run, crashed her car and then locked herself in a school bathroom, according to police.Katharine Viviano, 50, was discovered on Oct.8 slurring her speech, glassy-eyed and reeking of alcohol inside the restroom at Pleasant Valley Elementary School in McMurray, WPXI-TV reported, citing cops.

Investigators said surveillance footage caught the first-grade educator leave the school around 11 a.m.to hit up Fine Wine & Good Spirits, according to WTAE.

When she returned, Viviano allegedly backed into a parked car in the school lot and staggered back inside.Once inside the classroom, she locked herself in the bathroom and refused to come out until responding officers coaxed her out.She then allegedly confessed she had been drinking vodka earlier that day, according to police.

Her students had to be taken out of the classroom while staff and law enforcement dealt with the teacher, who was unable to walk.Viviano refused a breathalyzer test, according to CBS.The Peters Township School District confirmed in a statement to WTAE that a staffer was slapped with a public drunkenness charge, noting administrators initially believed Viviano was suffering a medical emergency.“The Peters Township Police Department conducted an investigation into the incident and, as a result, charges have been filed against the teacher for public drunkenness,” the said the district in a statement.“We understand that this information will be concerning to families, but please know that the safety and well-being of our students remains our highest priority.”“Our focus remains on supporting the students impacted by this incident and ensuring a safe, stable, and positive learning environment for the remainder of the school year.”It is unclear if the teacher was placed on leave....