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Jennifer Hale, Eustis Middle School Substitute Teacher Arrested for Letting 7th Grader Use Her Vape Pen During Class

Published

3 years ago

May 12, 2023

A 50-year-old substitute teacher in Central Florida was charged with child abuse and subsequently fired from her job after allegedly giving a seventh-grade student a hit of her vape pen during class. Jennifer Hale, the accused teacher, was arrested on Friday, May 5th, and is facing charges of one count of child abuse. According to reports, the incident took place on May 2nd, at a middle school in Eustis, Florida.

The student who allegedly used the vape pen has not been named due to their age, but according to police, they were engaged in a conversation with a classmate about nicotine-delivering devices when Hale overheard and “chimed in” to say that she had one herself. She then allegedly brandished the vape pen behind her desk and asked if the student wanted to try it. After he agreed, she reportedly told the class to keep quiet about what had just happened.

However, the incident did not stay quiet for long. School administrators quickly learned of the alleged incident and confronted Hale on campus during school hours. She admitted to the act and was escorted off the premises and told not to return.

Hale was arrested at her home in Mount Dora, five miles away from the school, shortly thereafter. According to the arrest affidavit, she confessed to giving the student her e-cigarette when officers contacted her, stating that she “just wanted to fit in” with the young class. She was subsequently released on a $1,000 bond.

Police reportedly confiscated the vape pen as evidence and the child who used it only took one hit before returning it. During the interaction, Hale allegedly warned the student to be wary of a “salt-like” substance on the pen, although he could not identify what that substance was during his questioning by cops. He also told officers that Hale had asked him not to report her, saying she did not want to get in trouble.

Despite the child’s compliance, school staffers soon learned of Hale’s actions through another student present in the classroom. The school’s principal called the police the next day but not before calling Hale into his office to explain herself. It was at that point that she first admitted to giving the minor her e-cigarette, telling the principal the same thing she apparently told police – that she was “just trying to fit in.”

Parents in the community were appalled after learning of the incident, including the boy’s mother, who local outlet Inside Lake said was “very upset” and is planning to press charges. Public records show that a no-contact order between the child and Hale was filed last week, prohibiting the accused teacher from reaching out to her former student in person or any other means.

In interviews with the media, parents expressed their shock and anger at the alleged incident, with one parent remarking that teachers should be the last thing to worry about when dropping their kids off at school. “It’s scary,” said Jennifer Hunter, an eighth-grade parent. “I never thought a substitute teacher would give my child that or someone else’s child any of that stuff. Just other students. They don’t need to fit in with the kids at all. They need to be more parent-like than fitting in with the kids.”

Not much is known about Hale other than that she began working as a substitute teacher in November 2022 and had no prior criminal record or disciplinary issues. If convicted, she faces a maximum of five years in prison, five years of probation, and a $5,000 fine. A court date has not yet been announced.

Last Known Contact Information

Address: 820 Vincent Dr. Mount Dora, FL 32757
Phone: 352-514-7823
Email: JENNIEHALE10@GMAIL.COM
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.g.hale