A Wisconsin kindergarten teacher is on administrative leave after police say cocaine was found inside her elementary school classroom — including in a bathroom used by students.
Laurie Laubenstein, 58, was arrested Thursday and charged with possession of cocaine. She was later released from the Waupaca County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on March 17.
According to a criminal complaint, the investigation began after an anonymous tipster contacted a school resource officer at Lincoln Elementary School in New London, raising concerns about what she described as a “change in behavior” from the longtime teacher.
The tipster allegedly told police she found white powder on the bathroom counter inside Laubenstein’s classroom, along with bloody tissues in the trash. She also claimed the teacher had recently seemed “scatterbrained” and was “easily losing focus.”
The individual reportedly brought her concerns to the school principal but felt she was not being taken seriously. Another person allegedly told police she had witnessed similar behavior and also noticed bloody tissues after Laubenstein used a private restroom.
Police said the principal told staff that he had spoken with Laubenstein and believed students were not at risk.
But the concerns didn’t stop there.
The tipster later reported finding more white powder — this time on Laubenstein’s desk chair and again in the classroom bathroom. A school resource officer inspected the area and conducted an on-site drug test. The first test came back negative, but the officer believed the sample may have been compromised. A second test reportedly returned positive for cocaine.
Days later, police brought a K-9 unit to the school parking lot. The drug-detecting dog allegedly alerted to the presence of cocaine in Laubenstein’s Buick Envision SUV. However, authorities said nothing was found inside the vehicle.
Police claim they did find cocaine in Laubenstein’s purse and coat pocket after asking her to come outside.
According to investigators, Laubenstein agreed to speak with police after being read her rights. She allegedly admitted to purchasing $200 worth of cocaine earlier in the week. While initially stating she did not use cocaine “all the time,” police say she later admitted to using it inside the teachers’ lounge bathroom and in the bathroom attached to her kindergarten classroom.
Authorities noted that students also use the classroom bathroom and are tall enough to reach the changing table where the substance was allegedly found. At least one student in the class was reportedly still in diapers.
Laubenstein allegedly told police she never left cocaine behind and always cleaned up after herself.
The New London School District has placed her on administrative leave as the case moves forward.
The investigation remains ongoing.
If I had a child I really would think twice at leaving my child with this evil looking woman
They need to get rid of the principal too. He was told this several times and didn’t do anything.