METAIRIE, La. — Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputies were called to J.C. Ellis Elementary School in Metairie last month after a teacher reported a 7-year-old boy was in possession of cocaine, according to deputies.
Authorities confirmed the kindergarten student had four ounces of the narcotic in his cubby. That's roughly the weight of a deck of cards.
Another four ounces of cocaine was later found under the mother's car. She stashed it there when she realized law enforcement was called to the school, JPSO told WWL Louisiana.
The boy's mother, 25-year-old Mari Mejia-Zelaya, was arrested after admitting she was holding the drugs for another person to earn money, authorities said. JPSO is still investigating that claim.
Court documents show Mejia-Zelaya was booked on possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute and cruelty to a juvenile involving drugs.
On Wednesday, a judge denied a motion to reduce the mother's bond. It remains at $100,000, according to court records.
Mejia-Zelaya is now awaiting her next court date behind bars at the Jefferson Parish Prison. Her attorney declined to comment on this story.
In a statement to WWL Louisiana, Jefferson Parish Schools said:
"Last month, a J.C. Ellis teacher notified school administration out of concern that a student may have brought an illegal substance to school. The administration acted quickly and contacted the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office (JPSO). The JPSO promptly took the lead and initiated an investigation. No other students or staff were involved in the incident. Our top responsibility is the safety of our students and staff. We take all reports very seriously and follow district policy regarding such situations. Our staff and employees are advised to ensure our campus is always safe by reporting anything unusual to administration."
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