The mother of a student at Bostian Elementary School was charged Tuesday with having a weapon on school grounds, a felony. The school was placed on lockdown before and during the incident.
Deborah A. Stegall was charged with felony possession of a firearm on school grounds and a carrying a concealed weapon violation.
Rowan County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the school, at 4245 Old Beatty Ford Road, China Grove, about a possible disturbance.
They were told Daniel Stegall called the school and told them his wife, Deborah Stegall, was on her way to pick up their son . The two are currently separated and having child custody issues, according to the report. Daniel Stegall told the school Deborah Stegall texted him and was very agitated. Because of the custody dispute, school authorities had been made aware months ago that Deborah Stegall always carries a 9 mm gun in her pocketbook.
The Sheriff’s Office suggested the school go on a code yellow lockdown. This allows classes to continue but secures the school from unwanted visitors. One deputy stayed in the school while others waited outside to intercept Deborah Stegall.
Approximately 30 minutes after the lockdown, deputies stopped the suspect vehicle in the parking lot of the school. Deborah Stegall admitted she had a gun in her pocketbook in the back passenger seat. Deputies found the gun was loaded; they unloaded it and took the gun.
Deborah Stegall was taken to the magistrate’s office and charged. She was given a $10,000 bond and was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center.