Topline: Authorities say 15 students reported symptoms after consuming the treats at a school holiday party.
Published: April 27, 2025 7:30 am ET
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Teresa Bernal (via Smith County Jail)
TYLER, TX — A Texas mother is facing charges after allegedly bringing alcohol-laced Jell-O shots to a Christmas party at her child’s elementary school in December.
Teresa Isabel Bernal was arrested Monday and faces a charge of injury to a child resulting in reckless bodily injury.
Authorities say multiple students fell ill after consuming the treats.
According to police records obtained by Law&Crime, 15 students told officers they had consumed the shots, with many reporting headaches and stomachaches. One student said he vomited twice, while another claimed he “passed out.”
In a follow-up interview on January 13, a student said he had six shots, became dizzy, fell, and couldn’t get back up.
The incident took place on December 20, 2024, when Bernal arrived at the school party with the Jell-O shots. According to investigators, her presence didn’t initially raise alarm because of her standing in the school community.
“During the interviews I was told, while some of the teachers found it odd that Bernal would bring Jell-O shots to an elementary school party, they were trusting Bernal to not bring anything harmful to the school party,” one officer wrote. “Bernal was an involved parent and was present at many functions at the school.”
Suspicions grew after several children began to feel sick. According to police documents, two adults who sampled the Jell-O mentioned to another person that they believed the shots contained alcohol.
When questioned, Bernal told officers she bought the shots from a business she found on Facebook.
“I asked Bernal if the Jell-O shots had alcohol in them and she said they do taste different,” investigators wrote. “Bernal said the Jello-O shots were meant for the 5th graders and she did not know the shots contained alcohol. Bernal also said she discovered the Jell-O shots contained alcohol after the children had consumed some of the shots.”
However, police did not find her explanation credible. They traced the source of the Jell-O shots and said it was clear they contained vodka.
“In looking at the photo of the Jell-O shots Bernal ordered, it clearly states the Jell-O shots contain Smirnoff,” officers wrote.
In a statement, Tyler Independent School District confirmed they were aware of Bernal’s arrest and outlined their response to the incident.
“Tyler ISD is aware of the recent arrest of a parent in connection to an elementary holiday party last December,” the district said. “At the time, a parent volunteer brought homemade Jello to the celebration, which was later found to contain alcohol. Unfortunately, some students consumed the Jello before the situation was discovered. Staff acted immediately to address the situation, informing parents and working with law enforcement. Since the incident, the parent has not been allowed back on campus and now faces legal consequences. We take this matter very seriously and remain committed to the safety and well-being of our students.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Police: Mom Charged After Bringing Vodka Jell-O Shots to Elementary School Party
Authorities say 15 students reported symptoms after consuming the treats at a school holiday party.
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 27, 2025 7:30 am ET
Teresa Bernal (via Smith County Jail)
TYLER, TX — A Texas mother is facing charges after allegedly bringing alcohol-laced Jell-O shots to a Christmas party at her child’s elementary school in December.
Teresa Isabel Bernal was arrested Monday and faces a charge of injury to a child resulting in reckless bodily injury.
Authorities say multiple students fell ill after consuming the treats.
According to police records obtained by Law&Crime, 15 students told officers they had consumed the shots, with many reporting headaches and stomachaches. One student said he vomited twice, while another claimed he “passed out.”
In a follow-up interview on January 13, a student said he had six shots, became dizzy, fell, and couldn’t get back up.
The incident took place on December 20, 2024, when Bernal arrived at the school party with the Jell-O shots. According to investigators, her presence didn’t initially raise alarm because of her standing in the school community.
“During the interviews I was told, while some of the teachers found it odd that Bernal would bring Jell-O shots to an elementary school party, they were trusting Bernal to not bring anything harmful to the school party,” one officer wrote. “Bernal was an involved parent and was present at many functions at the school.”
Suspicions grew after several children began to feel sick. According to police documents, two adults who sampled the Jell-O mentioned to another person that they believed the shots contained alcohol.
When questioned, Bernal told officers she bought the shots from a business she found on Facebook.
“I asked Bernal if the Jell-O shots had alcohol in them and she said they do taste different,” investigators wrote. “Bernal said the Jello-O shots were meant for the 5th graders and she did not know the shots contained alcohol. Bernal also said she discovered the Jell-O shots contained alcohol after the children had consumed some of the shots.”
However, police did not find her explanation credible. They traced the source of the Jell-O shots and said it was clear they contained vodka.
“In looking at the photo of the Jell-O shots Bernal ordered, it clearly states the Jell-O shots contain Smirnoff,” officers wrote.
In a statement, Tyler Independent School District confirmed they were aware of Bernal’s arrest and outlined their response to the incident.
“Tyler ISD is aware of the recent arrest of a parent in connection to an elementary holiday party last December,” the district said. “At the time, a parent volunteer brought homemade Jello to the celebration, which was later found to contain alcohol. Unfortunately, some students consumed the Jello before the situation was discovered. Staff acted immediately to address the situation, informing parents and working with law enforcement. Since the incident, the parent has not been allowed back on campus and now faces legal consequences. We take this matter very seriously and remain committed to the safety and well-being of our students.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Police: Mom Charged After Bringing Vodka Jell-O Shots to Elementary School Party
Authorities say 15 students reported symptoms after consuming the treats at a school holiday party.
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 27, 2025 7:30 am ET
Teresa Bernal (via Smith County Jail)
TYLER, TX — A Texas mother is facing charges after allegedly bringing alcohol-laced Jell-O shots to a Christmas party at her child’s elementary school in December.
Teresa Isabel Bernal was arrested Monday and faces a charge of injury to a child resulting in reckless bodily injury.
Authorities say multiple students fell ill after consuming the treats.
According to police records obtained by Law&Crime, 15 students told officers they had consumed the shots, with many reporting headaches and stomachaches. One student said he vomited twice, while another claimed he “passed out.”
In a follow-up interview on January 13, a student said he had six shots, became dizzy, fell, and couldn’t get back up.
The incident took place on December 20, 2024, when Bernal arrived at the school party with the Jell-O shots. According to investigators, her presence didn’t initially raise alarm because of her standing in the school community.
“During the interviews I was told, while some of the teachers found it odd that Bernal would bring Jell-O shots to an elementary school party, they were trusting Bernal to not bring anything harmful to the school party,” one officer wrote. “Bernal was an involved parent and was present at many functions at the school.”
Suspicions grew after several children began to feel sick. According to police documents, two adults who sampled the Jell-O mentioned to another person that they believed the shots contained alcohol.
When questioned, Bernal told officers she bought the shots from a business she found on Facebook.
“I asked Bernal if the Jell-O shots had alcohol in them and she said they do taste different,” investigators wrote. “Bernal said the Jello-O shots were meant for the 5th graders and she did not know the shots contained alcohol. Bernal also said she discovered the Jell-O shots contained alcohol after the children had consumed some of the shots.”
However, police did not find her explanation credible. They traced the source of the Jell-O shots and said it was clear they contained vodka.
“In looking at the photo of the Jell-O shots Bernal ordered, it clearly states the Jell-O shots contain Smirnoff,” officers wrote.
In a statement, Tyler Independent School District confirmed they were aware of Bernal’s arrest and outlined their response to the incident.
“Tyler ISD is aware of the recent arrest of a parent in connection to an elementary holiday party last December,” the district said. “At the time, a parent volunteer brought homemade Jello to the celebration, which was later found to contain alcohol. Unfortunately, some students consumed the Jello before the situation was discovered. Staff acted immediately to address the situation, informing parents and working with law enforcement. Since the incident, the parent has not been allowed back on campus and now faces legal consequences. We take this matter very seriously and remain committed to the safety and well-being of our students.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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