A parent’s actions at a school Christmas party have left many stunned after she allegedly brought alcoholic jello shots to the event, leading to 15 children getting intoxicated.
The parent, Teresa Isabel Bernal, 33, is now facing serious charges after the shocking event unfolded at Jones Elementary School in Tyler, Texas.
The Party Turns Dangerous
On December 20, 2024, Bernal, who had bought the jello shots from a local bakery, brought them to her daughter’s fifth-grade class party.
The shots, which were flavored and decorated with strawberries and whipped cream, quickly became a hit with the kids.
By the time an assistant principal noticed something was off and called the police around 11:15 a.m., only four of the shots were left.
It wasn’t until about 20 minutes into the party that teachers realized the jello shots were spiked with vodka.
Two teachers tasted the shots and immediately recognized the alcohol, but by then, it was too late.
The Children’s Reactions
Some of the children began to feel the effects quickly.
One child admitted to consuming six shots and later reported feeling dizzy and falling down.
Another girl, who had two shots, experienced nausea and vomiting. She even fainted at home later that day.
The teachers acted swiftly, removing the affected children and sending them to the nurse’s office.
When police arrived, they spoke to all 15 children who had consumed the shots, most of whom reported stomach aches and headaches.
The Bakery Connection
Bernal told the police she found the bakery on Facebook and ordered the jello shots in advance.
The shots came in blue, red, and green colors, with some decorated with sliced strawberries and whipped cream.
After the incident, the bakery’s owner confirmed that Bernal had indeed known the shots contained alcohol, as they were made with Smirnoff vodka.
Text messages between Bernal and the bakery owner showed that she had inquired about the alcohol content.
The owner had confirmed the shots were alcoholic, and Bernal’s response was simply, “kids.”
Police Investigation and Arrest
When the police officer interviewed Bernal, she admitted the jello shots tasted different but denied knowing they contained alcohol.
However, after further investigation, it became clear that she had knowingly purchased alcoholic jello shots and brought them to the party.
Lab tests later confirmed the shots contained alcohol, and Bernal was arrested on charges of recklessly causing bodily injury to a child.
She was booked into the Smith County Jail and released on a $75,000 bail.
Since the incident, Bernal has not been allowed to return to the school.
What’s Next?
The community is left questioning how this could have happened, as Bernal was known to be an involved and trusted parent.
With the legal process unfolding, many are wondering what the next steps will be for both Bernal and the school.