SBI investigates school crossing guard in Anderson for distributing alcohol to children

NEW HANOVER COUNTY – The State Bureau of Investigation has confirmed it is investigating a school crossing guard at Anderson Elementary School.

Sheri Baker, 63, was suspended May 31 by the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, which employs school crossing guards. Baker, who has worked as a school crossing guard since 2018, is not paid because she works on an hourly basis. NHCSO spokesman Lt. Jerry Brewer told Port City Daily the SBI is taking over the investigation.

Port City Daily reached out to the SBI on June 13 after the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office reported it, and received a response on Friday.

“On 6/3/24, the SBI received a request from the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office to investigate a Sheriff’s Office employee who was accused of distributing alcohol to students while working as a school crossing guard at Edwin A. Anderson Elementary School. No charges have been filed to date. The SBI investigation is ongoing. No further information is available.”

Brewer told PCD that no police report had been filed against Baker and that the sheriff’s office had been notified through New Hanover County Schools, who in turn had been notified by parents.

PCD submitted a public records request to NHCS for emailed and texted complaints from parents to NHCS staff and board members. The request was not granted by the Press.

Tips or comments? Email reporter Peter Castagno at [email protected].

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