Centerfield Elementary employee charged with theft of student's medication

The office manager of Centerfield Elementary School is charged with stealing a drug similar to Ritalin from a student.

Oldham County Jail

Shelly Marie Settle, 43, of La Grange.

Shelly Marie Settle, 43, of La Grange, is charged with narcotics theft and endangering the welfare of a minor. According to police, Settle allegedly removed 10 dexmthylphenidate pills from a student's prescription bottle and replaced the pills with baby aspirin on Monday afternoon.

Dexmthylphenidate, like Ritalin, is a Schedule II narcotic commonly prescribed for children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The drug stimulates the central nervous system with effects more potent than caffeine. It has a calming effect on hyperactive children and a focusing effect on those with ADHD.

School officials store students' medication in a locked cabinet, and Settle is a keyholder with regular access to it.

According to police reports, Settle consumed the pills. Oldham County Police arrested Settle at the school shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday.

She posted a $2,500 unsecured bond at the Oldham County Jail and has since been released.

Settle will be arraigned at 9 a.m. Dec. 14 in Oldham district court.