Texas mother Teresa Isabel Bernal, 33, was arrested on Monday, April 21, months after allegedly handing booze-infused Jell-O shots to 5th graders during a Christmas party. A total of fifteen children ingested the Jell-O, with one of them passing out due to the alcohol.
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According to an arrest affidavit obtained by NBC News, the party occurred at Jones Elementary School in Tyler, Texas, on December 20, 2024. As per the affidavit, Bernal bought the Jell-O shots from a Facebook business she had contacted before. Reportedly, Bernal was unaware that the shots contained alcohol.
The Jell-O shots were laid out on a table alongside other treats the 5th graders had brought to the party. Fifteen students began consuming the shots, with almost all of them "having stomach aches and headaches," as per the affidavit.
As per the document, some of the children vomited, and one of them passed out at the school's cafeteria. Reportedly, one of the 5th graders consumed six Jell-O shots, fell, and was unable to get back on their feet.
A Tyler Independent School District police officer questioned Bernal upon arrival. As previously stated, she claimed she was unaware that the Jell-O shots contained alcohol. However, she did agree that they tasted different. Bernal stated, as per the affidavit, that she noticed something was wrong when the children began consuming the shots.
Investigations Lead To Arrest
Days following the incident, an investigating officer interviewed teachers on January 6.
"During the interviews I was told, while some of the teachers found it odd that Bernal would bring Jell-O shots to an elementary school party, they were trusting Bernal to not bring anything harmful to the school party," the document reads. "Bernal was an involved parent and was present at many functions at the school."
The affidavit added that the Facebook business from which Bernal bought the Jell-O shots had a disclaimer on their website that the shots were infused with vodka.
"In my opinion, there is no way Bernal could have missed the fact that the Jell-O shots she purchased and brought to her daughter's 5th grade Christmas party contained drinking alcohol," the affidavit added.
On Monday, April 21, Teresa Isabel Bernal was charged with injury to a child. She was booked into the Smith County Jail on a $75,000 bond. Bernal posted bond the very same day she was booked and has been banned from school rounds.
In a statement, the Tyler Independent School District addressed the incident and Bernal's arrest.
"At the time, a parent volunteer brought homemade Jello to the celebration, which was later found to contain alcohol," the statement read. "Unfortunately, some students consumed the Jello before the situation was discovered. Staff acted immediately to address the situation, informing parents and working with law enforcement."
"We take this matter very seriously and remain committed to the safety and well-being of our students," the statement concluded.
