A longtime custodian at Thomas Jefferson High School who nearly died in a drug-related incident remains on paid administrative leave.

On April 11, The Mirror posted the story “Federal Way teacher brings dead custodian back to life.” Monica Watchie, the emergency instructor at Thomas Jefferson, was honored at a Federal Way School Board meeting for performing life-saving CPR on the 50-year-old custodian.

The incident occurred about 2:30 p.m. March 2, when the school’s chief custodian was found unconscious and not breathing. Watchie administered first aid and, according to principal Liz Drake, brought the custodian back to life. Watchie, who is also a firefighter, teaches the state’s only high school EMT first responder program.

Both Watchie and Drake declined further comment on the incident because the custodian was under investigation.

The custodian, an employee at the school for more than 20 years, was placed on paid leave immediately for allegations of engaging in inappropriate conduct.

Upon learning this information after publication of the initial report, The Mirror filed a records request with Federal Way Public Schools in mid-April. The Mirror is not naming the custodian because the case is still under investigation.

Heavily-redacted documents were eventually released last week and revealed the following:

• The custodian is believed to have ingested a substance that may have caused him to collapse in an office at the school. An interview by human resources suggests the custodian planned to help a fix the car of a former student, a recent graduate of the high school who was present when the incident took place.

• The investigation by the school district will determine whether the custodian violated Policy 5201, which addresses drugs in the workplace. The policy states that using, possessing, distributing or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances will not be tolerated in the school district.

• A toxicology report was sought from the Washington State Patrol crime lab. A redacted copy of “Opana information from Drugs.com” was included in a packet of information on the investigation, as provided by the school district. Opana is a name-brand version of the narcotic oxymorphone. This prescription opioid treats moderate to severe pain.

Federal Way police confirmed the 911 call from March 2 that reported the custodian as being medically unresponsive. South King Fire provided medical aid and the custodian was transported to Highline Medical Center. He left the hospital against medical advice the same day, according to documents. A police investigation on any criminal aspects in this incident was closed earlier this month, pending any new evidence.

The school district’s investigation is almost complete, according to a spokeswoman. A determination has not been made as to whether the custodian, who is still employed by the district, violated policy or faces disciplinary action.