Chiefland Elementary School teacher arrested after students find gun inside her car
Levy County, Florida - A first-year teacher at Chiefland Elementary School, 27 year-old Paige Ehlers of Archer, Florida, was arrested at the school, Monday, October 24, 2022, by a School Resource Deputy with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds, and two counts of child endangerment. Her bond was set at release on her own recognizance.
The gun was discovered inside Ms. Ehlers' vehicle, during school hours on Monday, by two fourth-grade students, ages 9 and 10, who were sent to Ms. Ehlers' car, by Ms. Ehlers, to retrieve a medication for her. The students informed other school officials that they'd seen a firearm inside the vehicle. The officials then informed the School Resource Deputy about the students' allegation. When the allegation was confirmed, the deputy placed Ms. Ehlers under arrest.
Possession of a firearm on school property is prohibited by the policy of the Levy County School District and also by Florida law.
“While it is extremely disheartening to ever arrest a teacher, this type of violation, that endangers the safety of our students, cannot be tolerated,” said Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum. "Thankfully, these fourth grade students had parents that taught them about gun safety, and...for that reason, we may have avoided a dangerous and sad situation today.”