BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — A Martin County school speech therapist was arrested Thursday afternoon at Eden Elementary after officers said she appeared to be under the influence while supervising students.

Martin County Schools Police Chief Chris Kidd and Officer Nathan Todd arrested Leigh Ann Marquez, 44, of Paintsville, around 3 p.m. on charges of public intoxication and endangering the welfare of a minor.

According to the arrest report, an administrator alerted police that a staff member was showing signs of intoxication. Officers found Marquez exhibiting slurred speech, difficulty maintaining balance and delayed responses.

Marquez reportedly told officers that she has a problem and that her “drink of choice is whiskey.” She also allegedly disclosed that she is prescribed Xanax and Buspar and had “drunk whiskey this morning.”

The report states that Marquez told officers she had “12 children in her care today.”

After administering field sobriety tests, police took Marquez into custody.