Lakewood Ranch High School teacher arrested on methamphetamine-related charges, placed on paid leave
LAKEWOOD RANCH -- A Lakewood Ranch High School teacher arrested Wednesday night on drug charges has been placed on paid administrative leave pending investigation, Manatee County School District officials confirmed Thursday.
Hardee County Sheriff's Office deputies searched Hollis Morantes' home and found drugs, synthetic urine and a cleansing agent used for passing drug tests.
Morantes, identified as a science teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, was arrested at a home in Ona and is facing several drug-related charges.
The school district was alerted of the arrest Thursday, staff attorney Mitchell Teitelbaum said.
"Based upon this notification, the school district is following all protocols and procedures that protect the safety of our students," Teitelbaum said.
Morantes is on paid administrative leave pending a full investigation, Teitelbaum said.
The Hardee County Drug Task Force responded to a house in Ona to help find David Alday, who was wanted after fleeing from the Desoto County Sheriff's Office in Morantes' vehicle, according to the Hardee County Sheriff Office's Facebook page.
Morantes gave detectives permission to search the residence for Alday. The car Alday was driving was at the house, but Alday had left in another vehicle.
While looking for Alday, detectives found drug paraphernalia in plain view, according to the sheriff's office.
The paraphernalia field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Detectives then spoke with Gabino Morantes, Hollis' husband, who stated he had smoked methamphetamine that morning. Both homeowners consented to a search of the residence for more narcotics.
More drugs and drug paraphernalia were found under a pillow where the husband, Gabino, was resting his head. Under the pillow was a pouch surrounded by lighters and a pack of gum. Inside the pack of gum was a clear baggie containing 3.8 grams of methamphetamine. The pack of gum was in reach of the couple's 5-year-old child, according to deputies.
Hollis also admitted she had methamphetamine in her purse, which was in the bedroom and consented to have detectives retrieve it. In her purse, they found a black pouch containing 0.5 grams of methamphetamine.
In their master bedroom detectives located baggies, scales, pipes, synthetic urine and a cleansing agent used for passing drug tests.
A straw that tested positive for methamphetamine was located on the dining room table among the child's board games. Hollis said she used methamphetamine earlier in the day. The couple admitted to detectives they had been using methamphetamine for approximately a year, according to the sheriff's office.
The child was picked up by a family member. Department of Children and Families was notified.
Hollis and Gabino Morantes were each charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and child neglect, according to police.
Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter@MeghinDelaney.
This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 6:33 PM with the headline "Lakewood Ranch High School teacher arrested on methamphetamine-related charges, placed on paid leave ."