A fifth-grade teacher was a sip away from being poisoned after four of her students allegedly poured drain cleaner into her water bottle.

        Four girls at Oyler Elementary School in Lower Price Hill were arrested Thursday and face criminal charges and expulsion.

        “One of the girls stated that the teacher was continuously picking on her,” said Oyler Principal Donald Bearghman.

        School and law enforcement officials say the four girls, ages 11 to 13, held on to their secret for nearly a week and lied to authorities when confronted about it.

        Mr. Bearghman said school officials learned of the plot after one girl was caught May 11 with a can of liquid drain cleaner. But the whole story didn't emerge until Tuesday, when other students started gossiping.

        On May 10, the girls allegedly poured the cleaner into longtime teacher Nancy Wynette's water bottle. When Ms. Wynette went to drink from the bottle, authorities say she found it warm and put it in a refrigerator.

        Overnight, the girls had “pangs of conscience,” said Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen. The next day, they retrieved the bottle and emptied it.

        “Had the teacher (drunk) this liquid, she would have died,” Mr. Allen said. “We are taking this very seriously.”

        The girls are in the Hamilton County juvenile detention center until a May 25 trial in juvenile court. If convicted, they could remain in custody until they are 21 years old. Because none of the girls is older than 13, officials said they won't be tried as adults.

        Ms. Wynette, who teaches social studies and language arts, returned to work Friday after a brief leave. She could not be reached for comment.

        “She was greeted by her kids and lots of well wishes,” he said. “It was a rare and isolated incident. We want to assure folks that we do run a safe school.”

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