Child Brings Drugs To School; Mom Arrested

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Police said an east Nashville mother was arrested on Monday after her 6-year-old boy brought illegal drugs to school.

Video: Mom Arrested After Child, 6, Brings Drugs To School

A teacher at Tom Joy Elementary School found the student with packets of crack, rock and powder cocaine and marijuana that he apparently took from his mother's bedroom, police said.

When school officials realized that the mother was attempting to come to school and retrieve the narcotics, the school was placed on lockdown.

"And the reason they put it in lockdown was because the mother’s calling wanting to come get the child. They were concerned about his safety. They were thinking, 'Well, if she knows he's got these drugs on him, she's trying to get him out and maybe something happens to him.’ So, for the safety of the child, they put the school on lockdown," said Anna Maria Williams of Metro Police.

The mother, Arthea Burroughs, 27, was arrested at her house at about 2 p.m. and charged with possession of dangerous drugs and child endangerment.

Before Monday's incident, Metro was already investigating the people who live in the mother's house because of complaints that drugs were being sold at the residence. Police called the residence a drug house and that it had been under surveillance for weeks.

The child’s uncle, Darryl Burroughs, is also being sought by police.

The child who brought the drugs to school has developmental problems and was unaware of the danger of the narcotics.

The mother's five children, who range in age from 18 months to 7 years old were placed in state custody.

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