Drugs, gun found on janitor in late night school arrest
A Rockmart woman remains in jail after she was arrested over the weekend at a local elementary school and was found with drugs and a gun, according to police reports.
Georgia Lynn Cook, 49, of 2564 Vinson Mountain Road, Cedartown, was found Saturday night on the campus of Van Wert Elementary School where she was a janitor by Rockmart and Polk County Police, who were there investigating an open door at the school and “possible drug activity.”
Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd later said police were initially called to the school on an anonymous tip, and searched the campus after finding the door unlocked with a K-9 dog. They found nothing, but then Cook arrived back at the campus before officers were set to leave.
After a search with the K-9 dog of her vehicle and then a more thorough search by officers, they found methamphetamines, marijuana and additional pills. Dodd said she was also wearing a pistol on her hip.
Cook was placed under arrest around 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 25 and remained at the Polk County Jail without bond at the start of the week on charges of felony possession of methamphetamines, possession with methamphetamines within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Additionally she was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana, since it weighed in under and ounce.
Cook, a janitor employed by Sullins Cleaning Company, will have no further access to the Polk School District campus following the incident on Aug. 25.
Sullins Cleaning Company is the sole provider of janitorial services district-wide.
Superintendent Laurie Atkins added in a statement that they were aware of what happened on Saturday night, and are taking further steps with law enforcement.
“The District is collaborating with the Polk County Police Department, our District Police, and the cleaning company to ensure that all measures are being taken to ensure the safety of our students and employees,” her statement said.