Records: Teacher had BAC over .40

ANTWERP TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - An elementary school teacher was arrested Friday and is accused of having a blood alcohol content five times over the legal limit .

Leslie Buscher, a 37-year-old Portage resident, was arrested after Van Buren sheriff deputies found her in an SUV north of the intersection of County Road 652 and Red Arrow Highway.

They say she was slumped over the steering wheel of the SUV. Two children, ages 2 and 4, and a party cup half full of vodka were found inside the vehicle.

Buscher, who was unresponsive when police found her, was arrested after being treated at an area hospital.

Sheriff's officials have asked prosecutors to charge Buscher with two counts of child endangerment and charges for operating while intoxicated with open intoxicants in the vehicle.

Her identity was confirmed by 24 Hour News 8 through police records. Sheriff's officials say Buscher's BAC was more than .40; the legal limit in Michigan is .08.

Buscher is a 5th grade teacher at Lake Center Elementary school in Portage. She has been with the Portage school district since 1999. The district released a statement saying "Portage Schools will follow appropriate personnel protocols as we monitor the outcome of this case."

Buscher is expected in court next week. Sheriff's officials have requested she be charged under the new "super drunk" law which carries a stiffer penalty than a standard drunk driving conviction.

24 Hour News 8 reached out to Buscher for comment at her home and through email but have not heard back.