Teen guilty in teacher assault

Putting chemicals in teacher's drink might mean jail for a former Cary High student

RALEIGH -- A 17-year-old pleaded guilty Wednesday to putting dangerous chemicals in his science teacher's water bottle, leading her to seek medical attention after drinking from it.

Zachary Midgette of Cary appeared Wednesday morning in front of Wake District Court Judge William Creech to answer a misdemeanor count of assault on a government employee. Midgette's sentencing was pushed back to December, when he is expected to complete the first part of Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy, an intensive quasi-military program for high school dropouts. He was expelled from Wake County schools after the incident.

The Cary High School teacher, Wendy Beeler, described how she broke into a rash and felt a tingling sensation in her body Jan. 5 after taking several sips of a water bottle tainted with hydrochloric acid and zinc chloride. Midgette later told a school resource officer that he had put in the chemicals, which had been left over from an lab experiment where pennies are put in the acid, as a practical joke.

"My concern is that it could have been a lot worse," Beeler said. She went to the emergency room, but the chemicals did not appear to have any lasting effects, she said.

Midgette did not tell school authorities for several hours what specific chemicals he had put into the drink.

Beeler, who has taught for 19 years, said she briefly contemplated giving up her career as a chemistry teacher. She has not repeated the penny experiment since then. After taking two days off after the incident, her classroom was decorated by students who have continued to support her, she said.

Midgette's attorney, Duncan McMillan, said the teen is in treatment for psychological problems. He also said that Midgette's family, several of whom were in the courtroom, have pushed to have Midgette attend the Tarheel ChalleNGe program.

"He did a terribly foolish thing," McMillan said.

Creech admonished Midgette and thanked his family for being part of the rehabilitation process.

With no previous criminal convictions, Midgette could face up to 60 days in jail or probation.