DENVER -- A gym teacher who didn't want to be in school last Monday left a note at her elementary school saying "There is a bomb inside," police and prosecutors said Tuesday.
The teacher, 42-year-old Jennifer Gomes, worked at Escuela de Guadalupe one day a week and has since been suspended, school officials said.
According to the police report, Gomes admitted to leaving the note at the school's main entrance, near Pecos Street and West 34th Avenue, around 2 p.m. on Oct. 17.
Gomes was arrested on Oct. 19 at police headquarters and is facing one count of false reporting of explosives, a class 6 felony.
She was released on a $2,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in Denver County Court on Nov. 3 to be formally advised of the charge.
Escuela de Guadalupe is a private, bilingual Catholic school.
Gomes left the note because she did not want to be at work, according to the Denver District Attorney's Office.
The note prompted the school to evacuate as a precaution, said Denver District Attorney spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough.
"The safety and well-being of our kids is our top priority and we are confident that we are providing this type of environment at Escuela right now. We are not able to get into the particulars of personnel matters. At this point the matter is now in the hands of the Denver police and the Denver DA’s office," said David Card, president of Escuela de Guadalupe. Parents were notified the same day the threat was found.
"They had a note, a letter in there, explaining what had happened. And the next day I was really happy to see that the president was here in the lobby just as soon as I walked in," said parent Gerri Contreras.
According to Jefferson County court records, Gomes pleaded guilty in November 2009 to two counts of misdemeanor child abuse involving negligence without injury.
Gomes was working as a day-care provider in September 2009 and left several children alone while she was looking for dogs that had escaped, said Jefferson County District Attorney spokeswoman Pam Russell.
Gomes was just around the corner, but she didn't arrive home until 20-25 minutes after police were called about the children being home alone, Russell said.
Several abuse charges were dismissed after Gomes completed her community service as part of a deferred judgment. Four other child abuse counts were dismissed by the district attorney.
In May 2010, Gomes was cited for driving without a seat belt and also having an unrestrained child passenger in Jefferson County, according to court records. She pleaded guilty to driving without a seat belt and the district attorney dismissed the violation for having an unrestrained child passenger. Gomes paid $98 in fines and court fines.
Gomes was charged with forgery in 1992 in Boulder County, but the district attorney dismissed the case, court records said. Gomes has also been sued several times over debts she allegedly owed.
Card said all school personnel undergo a background check before they are hired, but he could not say whether the misdemeanor child abuse charge turned up during a background check.
The teacher, 42-year-old Jennifer Gomes, worked at Escuela de Guadalupe one day a week and has since been suspended, school officials said.
According to the police report, Gomes admitted to leaving the note at the school's main entrance, near Pecos Street and West 34th Avenue, around 2 p.m. on Oct. 17.
Gomes was arrested on Oct. 19 at police headquarters and is facing one count of false reporting of explosives, a class 6 felony.
She was released on a $2,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in Denver County Court on Nov. 3 to be formally advised of the charge.
Escuela de Guadalupe is a private, bilingual Catholic school.
Gomes left the note because she did not want to be at work, according to the Denver District Attorney's Office.
The note prompted the school to evacuate as a precaution, said Denver District Attorney spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough.
"The safety and well-being of our kids is our top priority and we are confident that we are providing this type of environment at Escuela right now. We are not able to get into the particulars of personnel matters. At this point the matter is now in the hands of the Denver police and the Denver DA’s office," said David Card, president of Escuela de Guadalupe. Parents were notified the same day the threat was found.
"They had a note, a letter in there, explaining what had happened. And the next day I was really happy to see that the president was here in the lobby just as soon as I walked in," said parent Gerri Contreras.
According to Jefferson County court records, Gomes pleaded guilty in November 2009 to two counts of misdemeanor child abuse involving negligence without injury.
Gomes was working as a day-care provider in September 2009 and left several children alone while she was looking for dogs that had escaped, said Jefferson County District Attorney spokeswoman Pam Russell.
Gomes was just around the corner, but she didn't arrive home until 20-25 minutes after police were called about the children being home alone, Russell said.
Several abuse charges were dismissed after Gomes completed her community service as part of a deferred judgment. Four other child abuse counts were dismissed by the district attorney.
In May 2010, Gomes was cited for driving without a seat belt and also having an unrestrained child passenger in Jefferson County, according to court records. She pleaded guilty to driving without a seat belt and the district attorney dismissed the violation for having an unrestrained child passenger. Gomes paid $98 in fines and court fines.
Gomes was charged with forgery in 1992 in Boulder County, but the district attorney dismissed the case, court records said. Gomes has also been sued several times over debts she allegedly owed.
Card said all school personnel undergo a background check before they are hired, but he could not say whether the misdemeanor child abuse charge turned up during a background check.