An East Chicago Catholic school closed its doors Friday and held a virtual learning day as authorities began investigating allegations that a fifth-grade teacher had a “kill list” for students, staff members and herself.
The teacher, Angelica C. Carrasquillo, 25, of Griffith, was charged with intimidation, a Level 6 felony, on Friday.
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On Wednesday at 12:45 p.m., East Chicago Police Chief Jose Rivera said a fifth-grade student at St. Stanislaus Catholic School, 4830 Indianapolis Boulevard, told a counselor about the threats and her list of names on it. Police were called at 4:45 p.m., he said.
“The East Chicago Police Department was not made aware of the situation until 4 hours later after the teacher was allowed to leave,” Rivera said in an email. “Once Officers were notified they completed a report and notified the Criminal Investigation Division.”
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Rivera said school officials escorted the teacher to the principal’s office when the teacher admitted to making the comments and saying she had a “kill list”. The probable cause affidavit states that Carrasquillo spoke of killing herself, students and staff.
“During the conversation, the teacher named a specific student on her list, but did not provide the list. The Principal then advised the teacher to leave and not return to school pending an investigation,” Rivera said in the email.
School principal Angelica Foy interviewed Carrasquillo along with two other staff members and Carrasquillo admitted to having struggles with her mental health, citing the kids not listening and trauma she experienced in high school, court records state. Carrasquillo only named one specific student on the “kill list,” but she never showed a list to school officials, records state.
When Carrasquillo was interviewed, she stated that if she had a car she would be able to fit two dead bodies in the trunk, the affidavit states.
When she advised Carrasquillo to leave the building, Foy advised her that this would likely result in her termination, records state.
Rivera said police obtained an emergency detention order from the Lake County Prosecutor’s office Thursday and she was taken into custody.
When they learned of the threats from the student, officials at St. Stanislaus said, in a statement, the teacher was placed under supervision and had no further contact with students.
The statement said:
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“After students were safely dismissed at the end of the school day, the teacher was escorted off campus and the East Chicago police department was notified at approximately 4:45 p.m. When asked, the police assured the principal that the facility was safe and that they could proceed normally with all scheduled learning and school events for the next school day.”
The statement said students would have access to a school counselor, if needed. It said the school was working with police and the Diocese of Gary’s Office of Schools to make sure students have a safe environment.
“We thank God for the family culture of St. Stanislaus that provides students with an environment where they feel safe sharing concerns and questions with teachers and staff. We thank God for guidance while the situation unfolded on Wednesday, bringing truth to light in a way that protected all involved. We thank God for the beautiful community of St. Stanislaus parish who join us in praying for the St. Stanislaus school family,” the statement said.
The incident came to light after parents began complaining to Chicago television stations, which reported it on Thursday.
An initial Thursday email to parents from the school said there was misinformation surrounding the incident.
The email said the teacher was immediately removed from the classroom and escorted out of the building after students were dismissed for the day. The email said police assured the school it was safe to proceed with normal activities. It also listed a phone number for the national suicide hotline.
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It couldn’t be determined if Carrasquillo held a state teacher’s license.
The Diocese of Gary issued a statement saying it was cooperating, along with St. Stanislaus School, with local authorities in the investigation.
“The Catholic Schools Office is also reviewing what transpired during that afternoon. We are deeply saddened by this event. School safety is a paramount concern of our schools. Due to the ongoing police investigation, we are not able to provide further details at this time and ask the community to join us in praying for healing and resolution.”
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter at the Post-Tribune.
