New Jersey

Students Petition for Nun to Keep High School Teaching Job After New Jersey DUI Charge

Students at a Catholic school in Philadelphia are asking administrators to let a nun keep teaching after she was arrested on drunk driving charges.

Sister Kimberly Miller, IHM, failed a field sobriety test in Washington Township, New Jersey around 3 a.m. Saturday, police said.

Miller's blood alcohol concentration was twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent, according to police.

Before being stopped, police said Miller backed her Ford F-150 pickup truck into the front doors of a Meineke Car Care Center along state Route 42 in Turnersville.

Police pulled her over a short time later and she submitted to a field test. Miller was later charged with driving under the influence.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Office of Catholic Education placed Miller on administrative leave Wednesday pending the outcome of an investigation.

Students at Little Flower Catholic HIgh School for Girls, where Miller teaches, launched an online petition the same day asking officials to let the well-liked sister keep her job.

"She has helped her students blossom into the women they are today with her selfless devotion and dedication to her faith and job as a teacher," the petition reads. "In light of recent events, all of the positive things she has done should not be overshadowed by one negative wrongdoing."

More than 1,500 people signed the petition as of Friday morning -- 590 more than hoped for.

Asked about the petition, archdiocese spokesman Ken Gavin said officials were aware of it and reminded that no decision has been made about Miller's future. He said the diocese won't comment further since it's a personnel matter.

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