Middle school crossing guard charged with giving kids marijuana, vapes

A Pennsylvania woman faces charges after authorities discovered she provided e-cigarettes and marijuana to middle school students.

Kiara Lee, 26, employed as a crossing guard at Penn Wood Middle School in Darby, approximately 61 miles east of Lancaster, is accused of initiating the illicit exchange, as per a press release from Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer and Darby Borough Police Chief Joseph Gabe.

“Crossing guards symbolize the essence of public service. They are entrusted with the safety of our children, representing a position of sacred trust within our communities across the Commonwealth and the nation,” remarked Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer. “To betray that trust is profoundly troubling and undermines the welfare of the entire community.”

The investigation began on May 16, when a student and their parent alerted the school principal about the alleged drug distribution near the school grounds. The student reported witnessing Lee providing vapes to other students while on duty, according to the prosecutor’s statement.

Additionally, the student shared accounts from peers, suggesting that the crossing guard had allegedly smoked marijuana “regularly” with at least one student and had supplied vapes to several others.

Following this report, a subsequent police investigation into a student purportedly receiving vapes from Lee uncovered text messages between Lee and the student discussing the consumption of edibles and sharing their experiences, the release noted.

“While marijuana might not be viewed as a major concern by certain individuals in the community, I believe we can unanimously concur that crossing guards should not be providing narcotics – even if it’s ‘only’ marijuana – to our children,” stated Darby Borough Police Chief Joseph Gabe.

In response to the accusations against the crossing guard, Penn Wood Middle School’s response, and the William Penn School District’s comment:

“The William Penn School District is disheartened that an individual employed by the Darby Borough, serving our district and community, would engage in this reprehensible behavior,” a district spokesperson expressed.

The district extended gratitude to the police department and district attorney’s office for their diligent investigation into the accusations against Lee.

The spokesperson expressed gratitude towards Police Chief Joseph Gabe, the Darby Police Department, District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, and his office for their efforts in investigating this case and bringing charges against the suspect. They reiterated the William Penn School District’s dedication to supporting students affected by the situation, pledging to collaborate with them and their families to provide assistance. As the suspect is not an employee of the district, they stated that the district would abstain from making any further comments.

According to police, Lee is facing charges for allegedly distributing e-cigarettes and substances believed to contain marijuana to students.