Teacher Accused of Being Intoxicated in Class

A Thermal middle school teacher was arrested today on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol combined with prescription drugs while teaching, a sheriff’s sergeant said.

Tanya Neff, 40, was taken into custody around 1 p.m. at Toro Canyon Middle School, 86150 Avenue 66, said Sgt. Mike Tapp of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

School administrators called authorities when she began showing signs of being intoxicated, Tapp said.

Deputies found the seventh grade teacher being treated by a school nurse, and Neff was taken to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital for treatment, according to Tapp.

The sergeant said investigators believe Neff took prescription drugs combined with alcohol. Deputies found a container with an alcoholic beverage in it during the investigation, Tapp said.

Neff was responsible for the safety of more than 100 students during her regular school-day duties, according to the sergeant.

She was later taken to the Indio Jail and booked on suspicion of felony child endangerment.

The Coachella Valley Unified School District could not be immediately reached for comment.