A Texas elementary school party took a chaotic turn when a mom decided to bring alcohol-filled Jell-O shots for the children in attendance. Teresa Isabel Bernal, 33, was arrested by the police in Tyler for her ill-advised party favors, claiming it was all a mistake.
According to a police affidavit obtained by NBC, Bernal purchased the Jell-O shots for her daughter’s Christmas party last December from a local confectioner she found on Facebook. However, she was under the impression that the treats were alcohol-free.
Fifteen kids consumed the colorful shots, which were displayed on a table alongside other harmless treats. The aftermath was not pleasant, with almost all of the children complaining of stomach aches and headaches. Some kids even experienced dizziness, vomiting, and one child even passed out.
Bernal insisted that she only realized the shots contained alcohol after the kids had already consumed them. However, some of her daughter’s teachers could taste the alcohol and immediately sent the affected children to the nurse’s office for medical attention. Only four kids were unaffected and remained at the party.
The teachers expressed their surprise at Bernal’s choice of party favors, as they considered her to be a responsible and involved parent in school activities. The investigating officer noted in the affidavit that it seemed unlikely that Bernal accidentally got the kids intoxicated.
The officer further stated that there was no way Bernal could have missed the fact that the Jell-O shots she purchased contained alcohol, as the Facebook business where she bought them clearly stated that they were alcoholic. Bernal was released from jail after posting a $75,000 bond and has been prohibited from entering school grounds by the school district.
The incident serves as a reminder to always exercise caution and diligence when providing treats for children, especially in a school setting. It also highlights the importance of verifying the contents of food and drinks before serving them to minors.
