BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A veteran teacher at a Southwest Bakersfield Middle school was arrested after he was suspected of being intoxicated while working.

The incident happened Friday around noon after a staff member called the sheriff's department concerned about sixth-grade teacher Larry Michaels behavior, officials said.

"The school called and asked us to evaluate a member of staff that they believed might be intoxicated or possibly under the influence of something," said Senior Deputy Michael Whorf.

When the deputy arrived, staff members got Michaels from one of the classrooms, said Whorf.

"The deputy then evaluated Mr. Michaels and developed probable cause that Mr. Michaels was in fact intoxicated to the point that he was not able to care for his own safety or the safety of others," said Whorf.

Parent Cristina Reza didn't hear about the teachers arrest until ABC 23 told her about it Tuesday.

"It's awful, yeah, it's supposed to be a safe place but it's not, what are we going to do about that," she said.

Rosa Colindres said she feels uneasy leaving her daughter at school.

"It's like who can you trust now? You are leaving them in a safe place, that's what we think and look at what's going on," she said.

The Bakersfield City School District said Michaels has worked at the school for 20 years. He has been placed on administrative leave while the district investigates the incident.

Michaels faces one misdemeanor count of public intoxication and one misdemeanor count of willful cruelty to a child, according to Whorf.

Officials would not specify what substance they believe caused Michaels to become intoxicated.

He had been released on bail, said the sheriff's department.