The first teacher arrest to be tracked in 2020 is a high school teacher in the Wake County Public School System arrested over the weekend on charges of driving while impaired with a child in the backseat.

Patrick Christian Shaw

Patrick Christian Shaw, age 43, was arrested around 1 am on Saturday, Jan. 11 on charges of driving while impaired and misdemeanor child abuse. His blood alcohol content was registered at 0.09. North Carolina’s legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08.

According to charging documents, Shaw was arrested at 4010 Convenience lane, in Cary. The location is a Sheetz gas station near the corners of Kitt Creek and Highway 55.

When police arrived, Shaw was unconscious behind the wheel of his vehicle and the engine was running. There was allegedly a child in the backseat.

When police engaged Shaw, he smelled of alcohol and was slurring his words. In addition, police found open alcoholic beverage containers in the car.

The state of North Carolina has 5 levels of criminal penalties for DWI; Level 1 (aggravated) to Level 5 (relatively minor offense).   Jail time can vary depending on the circumstances and judge hearing the case.

Shaw’s warrant states that he was “operating a motor vehicle while subject to an impairing substance with the child in the motor vehicle.” Misdemeanor child abuse is a Class 1 misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of 120 days in jail and possible fines.

Shaw has a valid and active NC teaching license in the area of Business Information Technology Education and Marketing Education (6-12).  Unless revoked, his license will not expire until 06/30/2022.

Green Hope High School and Wake County Public Schools have yet to issue public statements.

Shaw is the first teacher arrest tracked by this website for 2020.

Suspensions of teacher licenses scheduled to be lifted in 2020:

• Barnes, Chelsea – Suspended from 04/30/2018-01/01/2020 for multiple DWI convictions.
• Hall, Justin Suspension – Suspended from 5/1/2019 to 6/30/2020 for the use of unlawful substances.
• Griffin, Samantha – Suspended from 7/1/2018 to 6/30/2020 for “Other-Inappropriate boundaries w/student.”