Police: contractor arrested at Polk County school for drugs, weapon

POLK COUNTY, Ga - A contracted custodial worker at Van Wert Elementary School in Polk County was arrested over the weekend.

Georgia Lynne Cook was charged, according to police, in connection to carrying drugs and a loaded gun onto school property.

Police said it all started with a phone. Polk County Police Chief Kenneth Dodd said Rockmart Police Department received an anonymous tip that a Sullins Cleaning Company was leaving drugs at school for a coworker.

Rockmart Police officers arrived at the elementary school to find a door open. That’s when they contacted the Polk County Police for help. Police brought K-9s in and cleared the school but it was when officers got outside that they said they ran into Cook. Police said the 49-year-old pulled onto the property and got out of her car.

The K-9s sniffed out narcotics and a gun in a holster on the hip, according to the chief.

Polk County School Superintendent Laurie Atkins released a statement Monday afternoon which read in part:

"The individual involved was not a Polk School District employee, but an employee of a contracted vendor."

The janitorial company told FOX 5 News the employee has been with the company for the past three months and was considered a hard-working employee. They explained they were blindsided by this arrested. A manager also added Cook passed a background check.

Despite police explaining it didn't happen during school hours, parents FOX 5 News spoke with Monday said it is inexcusable to have drugs and a loaded weapon on school grounds at any time.