A Utah teacher has been arrested after a developmentally delayed student drank hard seltzer from the educator’s stainless steel tumbler during class. The incident, which led to the student falling and hitting her head, has raised serious concerns for the child’s safety and the teacher’s behavior.
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred on March 18, 2026, at the Vista Education Center in Farmington, Utah, part of the Davis School District. According to the student’s parents, Flor Perry, a 21-year-old student with 1p36 deletion syndrome (a rare genetic disorder), drank from a tumbler belonging to Katherine Meatoga, her teacher.
Meatoga allegedly had hard seltzer in the tumbler, which the student unknowingly drank. As a result, Flor Perry fell and hit her head, though the full extent of how much alcohol she consumed remains unclear. Flor’s mother, Kim Perry, explained that her daughter, who is nonverbal and has the cognitive abilities of a 2-year-old, could not communicate what had happened.
Teacher’s Arrest and Charges
Following the incident, Katherine Meatoga was arrested and charged with possession or consumption of an alcoholic beverage at school, a class B misdemeanor. Meatoga, who had been employed at the Vista Education Center, was subsequently terminated from her position after the district became aware of the situation.
The Davis School District expressed deep disappointment over the incident, stressing that such behavior is unacceptable. In a statement, a district spokesperson confirmed that Meatoga was drinking hard seltzer from a tumbler, which Flor Perry mistakenly drank from.
The district also made it clear that alcohol consumption on school premises is against district policy, and the community has high expectations for its educators.
Concerns from Flor Perry’s Parents
This incident is particularly troubling for Kim and Devin Perry, as it marks the second time their daughter has been involved in a concerning situation at school. In 2022, Flor was allegedly subjected to abuse by another teacher at a different school. The Perrys expressed their frustration and concerns about the safety and well-being of vulnerable, nonverbal students like Flor.
Devin Perry voiced his concerns, stating, “How many more incidents are going on that are not being reported on and divulged to parents?” The family also revealed that the school did not inform them about the alcohol-related incident until several days later due to the lack of a witness report.
Impact on Flor and Her Family
Flor Perry was adopted from Ecuador at the age of 7, after Kim Perry met her while working at an orphanage. Despite her developmental delays, Flor uses 20 hand signs to communicate, but her inability to speak has left her vulnerable in situations like this. Her parents explained that they had no way of knowing what had happened at school until they were informed by local officials.
Kim Perry spoke about how she had fallen in love with Flor after meeting her, saying, “She had a sweet personality back then.” She expressed her heartbreak over the incident, emphasizing how difficult it was for her to trust that the school would keep her daughter safe.
Court Appearance and Legal Proceedings
Katherine Meatoga is scheduled to appear in court on May 5, 2026 to face charges related to her actions. The community and Flor’s family continue to seek answers and justice regarding the incident.
Summary Table
| Subject | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Flor Perry, 21, developmentally delayed student |
| Incident Date | March 18, 2026 |
| Location | Vista Education Center, Farmington, Utah |
| Suspect | Katherine Meatoga, teacher (arrested) |
| Charges | Possession or consumption of alcohol at school (Class B misdemeanor) |
| Incident Details | Flor Perry drank hard seltzer from Meatoga’s tumbler, fell, hit her head |
| School’s Response | Meatoga terminated, school emphasizes no alcohol on premises |
| Family’s Response | Concerned over second similar incident, frustration with lack of communication from school |
| Court Date | May 5, 2026 |
A Call for Accountability and Transparency
This disturbing incident has highlighted the need for greater accountability and transparency in schools, especially when it comes to vulnerable students. The Perry family is left grappling with the emotional impact of the event, and many are questioning how such a situation could have been allowed to occur.
