Update: Tuesday, September 23 –
A spokesperson for Polk County Public Schools has confirmed to Eye in the Sky News that the district is proceeding with the termination of Theresa Salerno.
Monday, September 22 – Lakeland, FL – Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested 67-year-old Theresa Salerno at Lake Gibson High School in Lakeland, charging her with Grand Theft of a Controlled Substance, a third-degree felony.
The investigation began on September 18, 2025, after school administrators reported a possible theft of a student’s prescription medication. The school principal stated that a student’s mother delivered a prescription bottle containing 30 pills that morning, counted in the presence of the school nurse. The bottle was placed on Salerno’s desk. Later, when the nurse retrieved it, nine pills were missing.
Surveillance footage showed Salerno picking up the bottle and walking out of camera view. Upon returning, she placed the bottle back on the desk while holding her other hand in a cupped position. Detectives attempted to contact Salerno, but she was on a scheduled vacation. On September 22, upon her return to work, Salerno admitted to removing pills, stating she intended to research the medication to verify its accuracy.
Sheriff Grady Judd stated, “This woman stole medication that was prescribed to a child. There is absolutely no excuse for that. We expect school employees to protect children, not steal from them. She knew better, and now she’ll be held accountable.”
It is unclear at this time whether Salerno continues to be employed by the Polk County Public Schools.
Source: Polk County Sheriff’s Office
