MONTICELLO – A substitute teacher’s aide has been arrested
in connection with the discovery of heroin and hypodermic needles found
in a staff bathroom in the Benjamin Cosor Elementary School on December
20, 2013.
Sullivan County District Attorney James Farrell said Rhandye Dauch, 55,
of White Lake, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance,
criminal possession of a hypodermic needle and endangering the welfare
of a child, all misdemeanors.
Dauch worked as a substitute teacher’s aide who worked in the Fallsburg
School District as well as other local schools.
Farrell said the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, through
the use of forensic evidence and other investigatory techniques were able
to develop sufficient probable cause to arrest Dauch.
Her arrest occurred as the result of cooperation by the Fallsburg School
District, including teaching and administrative staff, the DA said.
She was arraigned and remanded to the Sullivan County Jail in lieu of
$7,500 bail.
“As I said when the heroin was discovered in the elementary school
bathroom, there would be no rush to judgment and we would leave no stone
unturned in investigating this case in an attempt to identify the person
responsible for bringing these dangerous drugs into the elementary school,”
Farrell said. “The State Police were diligent and thorough in their
investigation here.”
