Pearl River Teacher Suspended After Stabbing, Drug Arrest

PEARL RIVER, NY — A Pearl River teacher who was arrested Saturday has been placed on administrative leave, district officials announced. Denise Christensen, 53, who is also a Pearl River resident, faces drug charges in Clarkstown after a bizarre incident that brought her face-to-face with police at the Nyack Hospital Emergency Department.

Clarkstown police called to the hospital at 1:20 p.m. Saturday about a stabbing victim who had walked into the ER. They were unable to get either Carl Mason or his friend, Christensen, to talk about the circumstances of his injury.

So they checked out the car she had used to drive him to the hospital. They allege their investigation revealed the car, which was registered to her, contained felony weight of cocaine.

SEE: Mum On Stabbing, Pair Face Drug Charges

Christensen was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 4th (felony), criminal possession of a controlled substance cocaine 5th (felony) and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th (misdemeanor).

Mason, 29, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd (felony) and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th (misdemeanor).

Here's the full text of the letter from Superintendent Marco Pochintesta:

Dear Pearl River School District Families,

I write to inform you of very serious allegations involving a staff member most recently
assigned to Pearl River High School. On Monday, December 10, 2018, we were notified that
Denise Christensen had been arrested by Clarkstown Police on drug charges. Ms. Christensen has been placed on administrative leave until the matter is resolved. The incident that led to her arrest did not involve students, nor did it take place on school property.

We hold educators and other district employees to the highest standards of conduct in the best interest of students. We stand committed to providing an environment focused on learning and the wellness of our students.

We will be retaining a certificated substitute teacher who will work with faculty and staff to
ensure instructional continuity in this staff member’s classroom. If you have any concerns
regarding this matter, please feel free to contact Principal Michael Murphy at (845) 620-3800.