The nutrition manager at Cedar Ridge Elementary School was arrested on drug charges for allegedly bringing meth into the school, according to Grovetown Public Safety Director Jamey Kitchens.
Kelley Niles was charged with possession of Schedule II Narcotics and transported to the Columbia County Detention Center.
The meth was first discovered in an employee restroom Wednesday morning, an area only accessible by a key and not in an area used by students, Kitchens said. Also, a K-9 unit tracked more drugs to the manager’s car in the parking lot.
Grovetown police were called to the school Wednesday morning after the meth was found in the restroom. An investigation led to Niles’ arrest.
“The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Division was requested to respond, at which time a search of the employee parking lot was conducted,” a press release says. “A Canine alerted to the presence of narcotics in Mrs. Niles personal vehicle at which time a search revealed an additional user amount of Methamphetamine within the center console.”
Niles is no longer employed by the school district, said spokeswoman Abbigail Remkus.
“Safety of students and staff is a top priority. The school is in the process of notifying staff and parents about the situation at this time,” Remkus said in an email.
A mugshot was not immediately available since Niles was being taken to the county jail at the time of this post.
