Teacher back in classroom after charge dismissed

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - She was accused of hanging out with one of her middle school students late at night and letting him driver her car, even though she knew he’d been drinking.

Now, we’ve learned Maria L. Chavez is still teaching, but she’s teaching high school students in Albuquerque now.

News 13 called Ms. Chavez at West Mesa High School to ask if she was the same person who had been charged with delinquency of a minor, and she denied it. But APS confirmed she’s the same person charged in 2001 with delinquency of a minor.

According to a report from the Santa Fe New Mexican at the time, deputies say she picked up one of her 14-year-old Capshaw Middle School students late at night and allowed him to drive around in her car even though she admitted she knew he had been drinking.

They were spotted in a parked car outside a Chevron station that was closed with their lights off. Deputies pulled them over a little later after the boy started driving again.

They were both arrested.

She pleaded innocent, and, for reasons that aren’t clear, the charges were dismissed.

On Friday her attorney Doug Couleur wouldn’t say why, but said in a statement, “This matter didn’t warrant a criminal prosecution 12 years ago and it doesn’t warrant embarrassing Ms. Chavez now, or any further discussion.”

APS stresses the charges were dismissed adding she passed the background test when she was hired.

News 13 contacted the District Attorney’s office to find out more information about why the charges were dismissed but have not heard back.