Santa Ana teacher arrested after students find gun in her class

Jayne DeArmond, a third-grade teacher at Diamond Elementary School, was arrested on charges of felony possession of a firearm on a school campus and misdemeanor child endangerment after students discovered the unloaded handgun and ammunition about 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, said Angela Burrell, a Santa Ana Unified School District spokeswoman.

Authorities said they believed the handgun belonged to her. Students had access to the cabinet where the gun was kept, Burrell said.

DeArmond was released on $20,000 bail late Wednesday and is no longer working on campus, Burrell said.

The students who found the gun told an instructional aide, who told the school's principal, who notified police services. School police were called and confiscated the weapon within minutes, Burrell said.

After conducting interviews, police took DeArmond into custody.

"They were able to remove the threat from campus," Burrell said.

Authorities said they also searched DeArmond's car.

Students were moved to another classroom after the gun and ammunition were found, and the school's principal explained what had happened to parents when they picked up their children at the end of the day, Burrell said.

The news came as a shock to many parents dropping off their students and volunteering at the school this morning.

"It's dangerous not only for the school, but for the whole community here," said Antonio Mendoza, whose 6-year-old son, Jose, attends Diamond.

"This is a real tranquil area," said Angelica Vasquez, who has lived in the neighborhood for 25 years. "We haven't had any gang problems, so why would she be worried so much that she would bring a gun into a classroom? Was it for her own protection?"

Counseling has been made available to students and staff, Burrell said.

tony.barboza@latimes.com

david.reyes@latimes.com