Florida Teacher Accused of Boozing with Teens

(New Port Richey, Florida) A 43-year-old biology teacher at J.W. Mitchell High School, Samantha Murchie, has been accused of drinking alcohol with teens at a prom after-party.

Murchie has been placed on administrative leave from her teaching position.

At the height of the party, 30 to 40 students were part of the revelry. They played beer pong and other drinking games. Murchie, one student said, sat in a love seat drinking to the point of getting "a little woozy."

Some students drank so much they got ill. The party ended when a neighbor banged on the door complaining about noise. It was 3 a.m.

At that point, some of the students said they caught a ride back to Murchie's house. One 18-year-old student — a designated driver — said she made two trips delivering students to Murchie's, where everyone gathered around the kitchen island while Murchie fixed some food. One student said he grabbed a beer out of the refrigerator and drank it.

Charges await the completion of the police investigation.