Teaching Twins Busted for Methamphetamine

(South Bend, Indiana) Twin 35-year-old Elkhart Community Schools teachers, Maria and Michelle Stancati, were arrested Tuesday after firefighters responding to a fire in their home found an alleged methamphetamine lab.

Each sister faces one count of dealing in methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school.

The two were taken into custody Tuesday afternoon when firefighters contacted police after a meth lab was found in their burning home at 511 E. Woodside St., South Bend.

According to police reports, Michelle Stancati admitted to manufacturing meth just before the lab caught ablaze and later exploded. Both sisters told police they were meth users.

A large quantity of marijuana also was found in the home.

An 11-year-old boy -- the son of a subletter identified by police as Lisa Kitch -- was sleeping in the home when the fire department responded to the blaze.

Maria Stancati is a ninth-grade teacher at Memorial High School. Michelle Stancati teaches special education at North Side Middle School. They were booked into custody with bond set at $5,000.

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy