Father arrested after 6-year-old brings marijuana cigarette to Toa Alta school
Municipal police in Toa Alta detained the man after the child handed the item to a teacher during a materials request; the case is under review by prosecutors.
The short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reports a 6-year-old girl handed a marijuana cigarette to her resource room teacher in Toa Alta on Wednesday morning
- El Nuevo Día reports the municipal police commissioner said tests confirmed the cigarette tested positive for marijuana
- The father was arrested after interviews and remains in custody at the Toa Alta municipal police station according to both outlets
- The Department of Education told El Nuevo Día that staff activated protocols notified police and the Family Department and prioritized the child's safety
Incident at elementary school
A man was arrested Wednesday in Toa Alta after his 6-year-old daughter brought a marijuana cigarette to school. Metro Puerto Rico reported the child handed the item to a teacher when school materials were requested in the morning. School officials immediately activated protocols and called authorities.
Municipal police responded and began an investigation. The commissioner told reporters that after conducting interviews agents took the father into custody. He was read his rights. Preliminary information indicated he does not hold a medical cannabis license. El Nuevo Día reported the cigarette tested positive for marijuana.
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Actuaron de inmediato y activaron el protocolo correspondiente para proteger a la menor. La administración escolar notificó a la Policía, al Departamento de la Familia y colaboró con las autoridades en la atención del caso.
Our translation: They acted immediately and activated the corresponding protocol to protect the minor. School administration notified the Police, the Department of the Family and collaborated with authorities in handling the case.
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Nuevo Día. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Official responses
The Bayamón district attorney's office is reviewing the case to decide on criminal charges according to both Metro Puerto Rico and El Nuevo Día. The man remained detained at the Toa Alta municipal police headquarters as of Wednesday afternoon.
The Department of Education issued a written statement to El Nuevo Día confirming that a service assistant and a social worker identified the situation at an elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade. Staff acted immediately notified police and the Department of the Family and cooperated with authorities. The agency emphasized that the rapid response prioritized the student's safety and well-being.
Where the sources differ
Both Metro Puerto Rico and El Nuevo Día agree the incident occurred Wednesday morning in Toa Alta when a 6-year-old handed a marijuana cigarette to a teacher leading to the father's arrest by municipal police. They concur the man remains in custody and the case is with the Bayamón prosecutor's office. El Nuevo Día adds that the cigarette tested positive for marijuana and quotes the police commissioner in more detail while Metro Puerto Rico notes the father lacks a medical cannabis license. Only El Nuevo Día reports the Department of Education's statement about involving the Family Department and calling on parents to keep children away from drugs.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state the exact school name the child's home address or any details that could identify the minor. They provide no information on whether the father has a prior record what specific charges if any will be filed or the current status of any Family Department involvement. The outcome of the prosecutor's review and any potential court proceedings are not addressed.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Encuentran cigarrillo de marihuana dentro de la cartuchera de una menor en Toa Alta
- Reporting Arrestan a padre de niña que llevó cigarrillo de marihuana a escuela en Toa Alta
- Reporting Encuentran cigarrillo de marihuana dentro de la cartuchera de una menor en Toa Alta
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico and El Nuevo Día both covered the Wednesday arrest in Toa Alta with overlapping details on the sequence of events and the father's detention. The Department of Education's written response appears only in El Nuevo Día. Information on possible criminal charges rests solely with the Bayamón prosecutor's office which had not announced a decision at the time of publication.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.