Former Lexington teacher indicted for medication theft

LEXINGTON, Tenn. – A former Lexington school teacher has been indicted for stealing medication from students and replacing them with inert substances.

Susan M. Watson, 59, was terminated from her position on March 3 due to allegations of stealing medication from students. Watson was a teacher at Caywood Elementary.

According to a press release from Lexington Police Chief Jeffrey Middleton, Watson was indicted by a Henderson County Grand Jury on Monday, March 31, with multiple felony counts of child neglect (under 8 years of age), one count of child neglect, one count of delivery of counterfeit controlled substance, five counts of burglary of a building, and five counts of theft under $1,000.

According to LPD, investigators determined that the theft started in February 2025 and on multiple occasions Watson “unlawfully gained access to a restricted area of the school where children’s prescription medication were stored. Upon entering this area, the staff member took ADHD prescription medication (Schedule II Controlled Substance) and replaced these drugs with inert substances to conceal the theft. A review of this investigation and the evidence was then conducted by the Office of District Attorney General Jody Pickens.”

Watson was arrested on Wednesday, April 2, and booked into the Henderson County Criminal Justice Center. According to Middleton, a $10,000 bond has been set for Watson and she is set to appear before the Henderson County Circuit Court Division II on April 10 at 8:30 a.m.

Lexington City Schools Director Cindy Olive told us on March 4 that it had been brought to the school’s attention about the theft and, after reviewing the security camera footage, they saw Watson take the medication. Olive told us that Watson had admitted to taking the medication when confronted by school officials.

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