Lawyer says Cincinnati Public Schools teacher had no clue drugs were in her house

A lawyer representing a Cincinnati Public Schools teacher accused of permitting drug trafficking in her Deer Park home says the teacherwas wrongfully charged.

Laura Morand, 36, was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of permitting drug abuse, a felony, according to court documents. She's listed on the Evanston Academy's website as a math and social studies teacher.

Lawyer Scott Croswell said the charges stem from charges levied against Morand's adopted son, 19-year-old Paul McGee.

Croswell said their home was searched in early November. Court records show McGee was charged on Nov. 2 with 15 counts related to heroin and cocaine trafficking.

"I believe that she's a very nice person who was doing the right thing when this man lost his family," Croswell said. "There's no allegations that any drug transactions took place inside the home. She should not have been charged with any of this."

Court documents say "a large amount of narcotics were recovered in plain view inside the location."

Croswell disputes this. He said the only drugs found in the home during the search were in McGee's coat pocket in his own closet.

Norwood police, the lead agency in the multi-jurisdictional investigation, have declined to comment on the story saying the investigation is ongoing.

After her arraignment Friday, Morand was released on her own recognizance. Croswell said a grand jury is expected to hear her case on Friday and he hopes the jury will see the situation and drop the charges against her.

"It's not the first time a parent was unaware of what her child was doing," Croswell said. "She's heartbroken."

McGee's bond was set at $100,000. He was released from jail after that bond was posted on Nov. 30. Morand was not responsible for posting the bond. He is due back in court on Dec. 15.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Lawyer says CPS teacher had no clue drugs were in her house