SUFFOLK
On Wednesday, the defense in the case of Elizabeth Ferguson filed a motion to continue the arraignment, which has been moved to Thursday, Feb. 12, at 9:30 a.m.

Ferguson, who is charged with two counts of distribution of heroin, was the S.P. Morton Elementary School first-grade teacher who resigned on Dec. 15 after a background check came back to school officials flagging the felony charges.

Ferguson had been hired on Sept. 29 pending a background check, but was allowed to enter the classroom on Oct. 1.

The background check was not filed with Franklin Police Department until Oct. 24. The Virginia State Police received it on the same day, and began processing it on Nov. 19. School officials received the criminal background check from VSP on Dec. 5, when the division superintendent placed her on leave.

Ferguson had been arrested on Sept. 26 for charges that date back to December 2013.