Jell-O Shots With Vodka Found At Tyler Elementary School Party

(Tyler, Texas)  A Tyler parent was arrested for allegedly supplying alcoholic Jell-O shots for an elementary class Christmas party in December 2024.

When parents take their kids to school, they expect them to be in a safe environment. However, after learning what happened at Jones Elementary in Tyler this past December, many parents are going to be gravely concerned about what is happening in the classroom during holiday celebrations.

A Tyler parent brought alcoholic shots to the classroom party

According to a Smith County arrest affidavit (KETK), Tyler ISD Police responded to an incident at Jones Elementary on December 20, 2024, after receiving a phone call from the assistant principal stating that she believed a parent had supplied alcohol laced Jell-O shots for a classroom Christmas party.

According to the arrest warrant, Teresa Bernal, 33, was arrested Monday, April 21st, and booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of injury to a child and was released the same day after posting bail on a $75,000 bond.

When Bernal was confronted by the school's assistant principal about the Jell-O shots on the day of the party in December, she admitted to bringing them, tasting them, and saying they were a bit different but didn't know if they contained alcohol, and went ahead and brought them to the classroom.

During the classroom party, students were able to help themselves to as many Jell-O shots as they wanted. Some students consumed as many as six shots. Later during the day, several fifth graders began experiencing headaches and stomach aches, according to the document.

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Several students were examined by the school nurse because some were vomiting, some were dizzy, and one student claimed to have 'passed out'. That's when school staff knew something was off and tried one of the shots and thought it contained alcohol, the affidavit states.

Tyler ISD Police was called, and Ms. Bernal was questioned

Tyler ISD Police questions Ms. Bernal about where she purchased the Jell-O shots. She purchased the Jell-O shots from a home-based business. After Tyler ISD officers spoke with the owner of the business, the investigating officers learned that the Jell-O shots indeed contained alcohol and were marketed as being made with Smirnoff vodka.

Tyler ISD Police sent five of the Jell-O shots off to a lab for testing. According to KLTV, the results from the lab were received on March 6th, and they show the Jell-O shots in fact contained alcohol.

A warrant for her arrest was granted on April 10th.

During subsequent interviews, teachers and staff at the school said Ms. Bernal was an involved parent at the school and at events.

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Thankfully, Jones Elementary staff took quick action in this case, and more importantly, it appears as if no students have been permanently harmed.

Ms. Bernal's case is still pending.