Police: Teacher brought drugs to daycare, left them near toddlers

Josh Einiger Image
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Police: Teacher brought drugs to NJ daycare, left them in reach of of toddlers
Josh Einiger has more from Whippany.

WHIPPANY, New Jersey -- Parents are freaked out and furious after police arrested a teacher who allegedly brought drugs to a daycare and left them in the reach of toddler.

"I'm extremely freaked out. My 2-year-old child was in this classroom and was exposed to possibly dangerous narcotics," said parent Jared Ross.

Hanover Township Police went to the The Learning Experience on Thursday and arrested Crystal Iacouzzi. The 35-year-old teacher was charged with drug and marijuana possession, along with child endangerment.

Ross says the teacher dropped her purse and kids started rummaging through it, only to find illegal pills inside.

"It's been too many problems. We've been complaining to the owners about issues within this facility for months, and they just turn a blind eye. They don't care," Ross added.

The Learning Experience is a national chain of franchised for-profit daycare centers. According to New Jersey state records, it has had its share of licensing issues, including failure to perform background checks on its employees and falsifying its fire drill logs.

On Friday, a company spokesman called safety and security of children their number one priority, adding, "due to the failure of upholding our strict rules and regulations, the staff member was immediately terminated."

"The girl who got arrested contacted a mutual acquaintance of ours and wanted her to tell us she was sorry for what happened, because she really cares for our son," Ross added.

The teacher may have apologized, but Ross says the school has not. He says his son is never going back.