- Kaitlyn Crescent, 28, a former high school teacher in West Falls Church, Virginia, faces multiple charges after allegedly selling vape cartridges containing nicotine and THC to students.
- An investigation, initiated in October 2024, revealed Crescent sold vape cartridges to at least four students between December 2023 and June 2024. She was arrested on Dec. 30 and held on a $4,000 bond.
- Crescent, hired in August 2021, was placed on administrative leave and officially terminated on Dec. 31.
- The case highlights rising youth vaping rates and challenges in enforcing laws prohibiting the sale of nicotine and THC products to minors, particularly in schools.
A former high school teacher in West Falls Church, Virginia, is facing multiple criminal charges for allegedly selling vape cartridges containing nicotine and THC to students on school grounds.
Kaitlyn Crescent, 28, was arrested by the Fairfax County Police Department on Dec. 30, 2024, after an investigation revealed she had sold the cartridges to four students between December 2023 and June 2024. (Related: Vaping dangers: Study reveals second-hand smoke from e-cigarettes contains 22 times the safe level of certain toxins.)
The investigation began on Oct. 24, 2024, when Child Protective Services received a referral alleging that a teacher was selling vape cartridges to students at Falls Church High School. Detectives determined that Crescent, who worked as a learning disabilities teacher, had sold the cartridges to minors.
"Detectives determined that between December 2023 and June 2024, Kaitlyn Crescent, 28, of Alexandria, sold vape cartridges containing nicotine and THC to four students," the Fairfax County Police Department said in a statement.
Crescent was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, distribution of a controlled substance on school property, and distribution of tobacco or hemp to a minor. The distribution of a controlled substance on school property is a felony in Virginia, carrying a potential sentence of one to five years in prison if convicted. Crescent was held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center on a $4,000 bond.
Fairfax County Public Schools confirmed that Crescent was hired in August 2021 and placed on administrative leave following the allegations. She was officially terminated on Dec. 31, 2024. A spokesperson for the school district emphasized that the safety and well-being of students are top priorities and that the district is cooperating fully with law enforcement.
Case comes to light as youth vaping continues to rise
The case highlights the growing concerns surrounding youth vaping and the accessibility of nicotine and THC products to minors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaping among high school students has surged in recent years, with many teens using e-cigarettes containing nicotine or THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana.
Virginia law prohibits the sale of tobacco and vaping products to individuals under 21, but enforcement remains a challenge, particularly in school settings.
This incident also underscores the broader issue of trust between educators and students. Teachers are often seen as role models and protectors, making allegations of misconduct particularly troubling.
"This is a betrayal of the trust placed in educators to safeguard students," said a parent of a Falls Church High School student, who asked to remain anonymous. "It's shocking and disappointing."
The arrest of Crescent comes at a time when schools nationwide are grappling with how to address the vaping epidemic among teens. Many districts have implemented educational programs and stricter penalties for students caught vaping, but this case raises questions about the role of adults in facilitating access to these products.
Watch this video discussing how vaping is terrible for the body.
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