An employee of the Bethlehem Central School District was arrested yesterday on drug charges following an investigation by the Albany County Sheriff’s Office and Bethlehem Police Department.
School psychologist Maria Mangini was arrested along with her husband, Brian Mangini, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, after it was learned they were in possession of a large quantity of marijuana in their home, according to Sheriff Craig Apple.
The investigation began after a BC student was found with a small amount of drugs on school property. The school notified police, who questioned the girl about where she obtained the drugs.
According to Apple, the girl was hired to babysit for the Clarksville couple at their home. While the couple was gone, the student searched the home and came upon a large quantity of marijuana. She then took some for herself and was later caught with it at school.
The Sheriff’s Office then worked with the school district to obtain a warrant to search the home. The student’s name was not released because of her age.
“We only got 3 ounces of drugs,” said Apple. “We had expected to find a lot more. That’s not to say it wasn’t there days prior.”
Mangini and her husband, both 41, were charged with criminal possession of marijuana in the fourth degree and endangering the welfare of a child, both misdemeanors.
The school district has placed Mangini on paid administrative leave pending a “thorough and timely investigation.”
“Above all, the district is concerned for the safety of our students,” said Dr. Thomas Douglas, superintendent of the Bethlehem Central School District, in a statement. “It remains our highest priority.”
The district plans to continue to coordinate educational discussions about the effects of drug use, and establish a victim’s panel so students can hear from former drug users, while constantly keeping an eye out for inappropriate behavior within all schools.
“We understand that this comes at a time when we are addressing an issue with drugs in our high school, but I think our ability to be vigilant of these issues and be forthcoming and open in addressing them serves our mission to provide the safest and most effective learning environment in our schools,” said Douglas.
A student was arrested in November for allegedly selling methadone to several students, who then overdosed on the school property.
Apple commended the district on their cooperation in these matters with the police.
“There has been a concerted effort between us,” he said. “They realize there is an issue and are willing to take the steps to abolish it. You don’t every day get that kind of cooperation and we are really grateful.”
Apple said parents should keep in mind the recent problems with drugs are not found just at Bethlehem but every school district.
Editor’s note: This article was updated on May 7, 2021, to remove the specific address of the accused. The charges against the Manginis were dropped shortly after this article was published. See article here.