Local

2nd suspect sought in teen's death after drug deal

BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — Channel 2 Action News has learned arrest warrants have been issued for a second person following the death of a teenager.

As Channel 2 first reported, former teacher Emily Smith has already been charged with arranging the sale of methadone to the 18-year-old who later died. Until last week, she was a sixth-grade math teacher at Winder Barrow Middle School. She's currently out on bond. Smith's attorney told Channel 2's Tom Regan she resigned from her job but maintains her innocence.
       
"She's a well-respected teacher, well respected in the community," attorney Billy Healen told Regan. "She absolutely denies that she arranged any type of drug deals. She denies she was responsible for providing any drugs."

Investigators said Smith facilitated an illegal drug deal to a former student and friend who was babysitting her daughter.
   
Investigators said the drugs included methadone, which is used to wean addicts off heroin and opiates, and Xanax, an anti-anxiety drug.
   
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith told Regan although the medical examiner hasn't yet ruled on the cause of the teen's death, the drugs are being looked at.

"We did get the toxicology report. There was a high level of methadone in her system and a small amount of Xanax in her system," Smith said.

The sheriff also said they were searching for another person who provided the drugs to the teen, but he did not release a name.

"We do have another suspect. We do have warrants. That suspect has not been picked up or arrested, but we are actively searching for that person at this time," Smith said.

The teacher's lawyer said she has never been in trouble before and is saddened by the teen's death.

"It's certainly a tragedy that a young person died, and this particular one, but Smith didn't have anything to do with it," Healen said.

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