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Benecia Teacher Arrested After Pot-Laced Potluck For Colleagues

BENECIA (CBS/AP) - A Northern California elementary school teacher has been arrested for allegedly serving marijuana-laced food to her colleagues at a potluck dinner without their knowledge.

Benecia Police Department Lt. Frank Hartig said Teresa Gilmete Badger was booked into the Solano County Jail on Friday on suspicion of poisoning. The 47-year-old Badger's arrest capped a month-and-a-half-long investigation that started with a tip from the Benicia Unified School District's superintendent.

Hartig says that several people attending the Nov. 21 dinner at a private home complained of feeling ill or high from an unknown substance and that two of them sought treatment at a hospital. Blood work on one of the patients tested positive for THC, an active ingredient in marijuana.

Neighbors say they don't believe the allegations.

"Teresa is kind. She's a dedicated teacher. She's someone who keeps to herself," said Dave Padilla, a neighbor.

A child also ate some of the pot-infused food that was brought home from the party for Matthew Turner Elementary School staff.

Badger faces three felony counts of poisoning.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or Redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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