An elementary school teacher allegedly had alcohol on her breath and a loaded pistol in her purse at school Thursday, officials said.

Shelton Elementary School (Credit: Paulding County Schools)
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A staff member at Shelton Elementary reported that 39-year-old Melanie Bullard smelled like she’d been drinking and school officials began an investigation about noon, Paulding County Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Ashley Henson said.

She is a kindergarten teacher, according to the school’s website.

Bullard tested positive for alcohol and the school resource officer looked in her purse for a container, Henson said. That’s when a loaded gun was found.

The purse was on the floor under a desk in her classroom, Henson said.

Bullard was arrested on reckless conduct and possession of a weapon on school property charges.

She was released Friday on $3,500 bond, Henson said.

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