No Jail Time For Westfield Teacher Who Overdosed In Classroom: Report

WESTFIELD, NJ — A 57-year-old Westfield art teacher will not get jail time after overdosing in front of students in November.

On Wednesday, May 31, Frank Thompson went before Superior Court Judge Joseph P. Donohue where he was found to be a candidate for a pre-trial intervention program, according to Tapinto.net.

Thompson, a Roosevelt Intermediate School teacher, had been facing charges for third-degree endangering the welfare of children, third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance (fentanyl), and a disorderly person offense of possession of drug paraphernalia.

The program that Thompson was approved for is a diversionary program that permits first-time offenders of third- or fourth-degree crimes to avoid prosecution.

It ranges in duration between six months and four years. Thompson will be supervised by court personnel to ensure compliance with the program’s requirements.

Successful completion of the program results in a dismissal of the case, but the arrest remains on record without conviction.

Overdose Incident

Roosevelt School's Resource Officer, Fortunato Riga, informed Westfield Police on Nov. 29 that a teacher was unconscious in a second-floor classroom. When Riga arrived, Thompson was unconscious and unresponsive on the classroom floor due to an apparent drug overdose, according to Battiloro. Read More: Westfield Art Teacher Faces Charges After Drug Overdose In Classroom

Thompson was first discovered and observed in distress by students and was actively being treated by a school nurse when police arrived.

After Riga observed signs indicative of a drug overdose, he administered Naloxone Hydrochloride, or "Narcan," which resulted in Thompson showing marked signs of improvement, Battiloro said.
Following an investigation of this incident, police discovered a quantity of a suspected controlled dangerous substance and various items of drug paraphernalia inside a closet in the classroom, according to Battiloro.

• Related: Teacher Drug Overdose Incident Addressed By Westfield Superintendent

Thompson was charged on Jan. 5 with the following, according to police:

• Possession of a controlled dangerous substance (fentanyl), a crime of the third degree;
• Possession of drug paraphernalia, a disorderly person offense;
• Endangering welfare of children, crime of the third degree.

Retirement

The Westfield Board of Education(BOE) accepted the retirement of Thompson at the March 28 meeting. Read More: Westfield Accepts Retirement Of Teacher Who Overdosed In Classroom

Thompson's retirement is effective as of July 1.

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