Having parents who want to help out in their child’s classroom is a blessing. When parties and other events come along, it takes the pressure off knowing there are people who will step up. Texas mom Teresa Isabel Bernal, used to be one of the parents a school could count on, but that’s all over now.
Bernal was recently arrested for allegedly bringing alcohol-spiked treats to her child’s class party. While the mom claimed she didn’t know they were spiked, police aren’t so sure that’s true.
According to a police affidavit obtained by KLTV, Bernal brought the spiked treats to her child’s fifth grade class Christmas party at Jones Elementary in Tyler on December 20, 2024. The assistant principal told police she believed the mom brought Jell-O shots to the party.
When asked by police, Bernal said she purchased the treats from a home-run business. She claimed she didn’t know they contained alcohol. The shots were in individual cups; some had whipped cream and strawberries on them, the affidavit said.
Police said that all students who consumed the shots were checked by school nurses. The kids complained of stomachaches and headaches. One boy said he threw up twice, with another claiming he “passed out” after consuming six shots. Another boy’s parent claimed he was acting strangely when she picked him up. He then almost “passed out” at home.
According to the fifth grade teacher whose class was affected, two fellow teachers tipped her off to the spiked Jell-O shots. She tried one herself, and Bernal asked her if she thought they tasted like alcohol. The teacher said she couldn’t be sure due to other ingredients. Noticing that almost a whole box was gone, the affidavit states she threw the rest away. Five of the shot cups were kept by police as evidence.
Police interviewed the owners of the shop on January 13, 2025. They told police they believed Bernal purchased alcoholic shots on purpose. A screenshot of a text conversation between the mom and the owners the day of the event showed her asking if the shots had alcohol. When they asked why, she simply wrote back, “kids.”
On March 6, tests came back showing the shots tested positive for alcohol. A warrant for Bernal’s arrest came on April 10.
Teachers and staff at Jones Elementary said in interviews with police that Bernal was an involved and present parent. She was booked at Smith County Jail on a charge of reckless bodily injury to a child. A $75,000 bond was set, which was posted the same day.
