Lakewood Ranch High School physics teacher arrested on drug charges

Hollis Morantes won't be instructing her physics students this week, or maybe even longer, at Lakewood Ranch High School.

Morantes and her husband, Gambino, were arrested at 10:32 p.m. Nov. 4 at their home in Ona, according to a police report posted to Facebook by the Hardee County Sheriffs Office.

They were charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and child neglect. 

Morantes has a $2,500 bond. The bond hasn't been paid, yet, and she's still in jail in Wauchula, officials said.

Officers arrived at Morantes' home in search of David Alday, a man who has outstanding felony warrants for battery on law enforcement. Alday fled from the scene in Morantes' vehicle, which prompted officers to visit her home, a report by Capt. Eddie Davis said.

While searching Morantes' home, officials found drug paraphernalia, and more than 4 grams of methamphetamine. Morantes admitted to smoking methamphetamine earlier that day.

She was charged with child neglect because the drugs were within reach of her 5-year-old child, who is now in the care of a family member.

Morantes admitted to using methamphetamine for about a year, the report said.

Lakewood Ranch High Principal Craig Little hasn't responded for comment on what's next for Morantes' career at the East County school.

A Florida native who briefly attended the U.S. Naval Academy, Morantes has taught at Lakewood Ranch High for a year.

Contact Amanda Sebastiano at [email protected].