911 call leads to arrest of teacher, student Ocean Township woman charged after release from hospital

911 call leads to arrest of teacher, student
Ocean Township woman charged after release from hospital

A Long Branch teacher and a 14-year-old student face drug charges after a 911 call alerted police to a possible suicide.

According to Detective Lt. Antonio V. Amodio Jr., a 911 call came in at approximately 1 p.m. Saturday reporting a possible suicide involving a female using prescription medication.

Upon arrival at the Appleby Drive residence in Ocean Township, first aid personnel and police found a female, identified as Lisandra Zingaro, 31, the owner of the home, and a 14-year-old male, Amodio said.

They also found five to 10 other individuals, some of whom are juveniles who had gone to the Ocean Township residence for an unanticipated gathering, according to Amodio.

Pending further investigation, police are not releasing any information about the other individuals at the house.

"Both Zingaro and the 14-year-old had used cocaine, which the boy supplied, and were conscious and able to communicate with authorities at the scene," Amodio said.

They were both transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune for treatment.

According to Amodio, detectives also found prescription drugs in the home.

In addition to cocaine, authorities believe Zingaro ingested a quantity of prescription tranquilizers. A suicide note was authored by the 14-year-old, the report said.

Although Amodio could not comment on the details of the note, he said, "The note was written by the 14-year-old, who wrote about suicide but made no specifics of who would commit suicide."

Investigating are Detective Sgt. Kevin McDermott and Detective Jay Clark with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and Division of Youth and Family Services.

Investigators were able to speak to Zingaro and the 14-year-old and believe that after school on Friday, Zingaro picked up the student and brought him to her home, Amodio said.

"They know each other and are friends," said Amodio. "The teacher brought the student to her house, where the 14-year-old spent the night. The cocaine was supplied by the student."

The youth was charged with possession of cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute and distribution.

Zingaro was formally charged with possession of cocaine Tuesday evening at Ocean Township police headquarters and was released on a summons.

Authorities notified Long Branch Superintendent of Schools Joseph M. Ferraina that the teacher had been charged.

According to Ferraina, Zingaro, formerly a teacher in New York, has been teaching in Long Branch for two-and-a-half years as an English teacher in the high school.

"The teacher has been suspended without pay," Ferraina said. "Dealing with this is simple. We deal with it quickly and effectively."

He added that if Zingaro is convicted, authorities would "go after her teaching license."

Ferraina noted that Zingaro had been performing satisfactorily as a teacher and had no complaints or prior charges on her record.

Ferraina said that for now, he would meet with the staff to make it understood that under no circumstances will matters such as this be tolerated.

"They are second parents to the students, and we take it seriously, and matters should be reported immediately," he said.

The school will also be checking to find out if other students are involved in this incident and, if so, decide how to deal with it.

"At this time I will not meet with Zingaro. Whether she is found guilty or not, she will not be coming back to teach. She had no business picking up a student and bringing him back to her house. I hope she gets help," Ferraina said.

Zingaro does not have tenure.

Amodio noted that other individuals at the scene will be interviewed and some individuals may be charged. Additional charges may also be made against Zingaro and the student, he said.