| INCIDENT AT MIDDLE SCHOOL PROMPTS ARREST |
The parent of a Romney Middle School student was arrested on Thursday on charges stemming from
an incident that occurred at the school on Tuesday.
Dorothy A. McDermott, age 45 of Romney, reportedly arrived at Romney Middle School in the
afternoon hours of February 23rd to meet with school administrators in reference to a discipline issue
with her son. Her child reportedly had brought a device commonly used to grind marijuana to school
and sold it as a "marijuana grinder". The grinder was taken into possession by Cpl. Jamie Carter of
the Hampshire County Sheriff's Office and Principal Watson of Romney Middle School.
McDermott arrived at the school and was seated in the principal's office meeting with Mr. Watson in
reference to the incident. It was reported to Cpl. Carter that McDermott took the device off of the
principal's desk, placing it in her pocket and refused to give it back. Once Cpl. Carter arrived in the
office, she initially refused to hand over the evidence. Only after being advised could be jailed for
obstructing, did she place the evidence back on the desk.
It's reported that McDermott then became enraged, screaming at the officer, all the while using
indecent and profane language. She was told to leave the building and to desist from screaming and
cursing. During this time, there were numerous middle school students in the Main Office area that
witnessed McDermott's out of control behavior. She was escorted out of the building by Cpl. Carter,
where she left with her children.
Warrants were obtained by Cpl. Carter, charging McDermott with Obstructing an Officer, Disturbance
of Schools, and Disorderly Conduct. McDermott was arrested and arraigned before Magistrate Shirley
Timbrook, where she pleaded guilty to Disturbance of Schools and Obstructing an Officer. Disorderly
Conduct was dismissed. She was ordered to pay a fine and court cost.
an incident that occurred at the school on Tuesday.
Dorothy A. McDermott, age 45 of Romney, reportedly arrived at Romney Middle School in the
afternoon hours of February 23rd to meet with school administrators in reference to a discipline issue
with her son. Her child reportedly had brought a device commonly used to grind marijuana to school
and sold it as a "marijuana grinder". The grinder was taken into possession by Cpl. Jamie Carter of
the Hampshire County Sheriff's Office and Principal Watson of Romney Middle School.
McDermott arrived at the school and was seated in the principal's office meeting with Mr. Watson in
reference to the incident. It was reported to Cpl. Carter that McDermott took the device off of the
principal's desk, placing it in her pocket and refused to give it back. Once Cpl. Carter arrived in the
office, she initially refused to hand over the evidence. Only after being advised could be jailed for
obstructing, did she place the evidence back on the desk.
It's reported that McDermott then became enraged, screaming at the officer, all the while using
indecent and profane language. She was told to leave the building and to desist from screaming and
cursing. During this time, there were numerous middle school students in the Main Office area that
witnessed McDermott's out of control behavior. She was escorted out of the building by Cpl. Carter,
where she left with her children.
Warrants were obtained by Cpl. Carter, charging McDermott with Obstructing an Officer, Disturbance
of Schools, and Disorderly Conduct. McDermott was arrested and arraigned before Magistrate Shirley
Timbrook, where she pleaded guilty to Disturbance of Schools and Obstructing an Officer. Disorderly
Conduct was dismissed. She was ordered to pay a fine and court cost.
