The camper suspected of handing out the laced food has been identified, and at this time, no charges have been filed
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NEED TO KNOW
- Thirteen children fell ill at a summer camp in New Jersey after they ate “mushroom-laced” chocolate, police said
- The affected children range in age from 10 to 13 years old
- The camper suspected of handing out the laced food has been identified, and at this time, no charges have been filed
Thirteen children fell ill after they ate chocolate police believe was laced with mushrooms at a summer camp in New Jersey.
Officials responded to a YMCA camp on North Arlington Avenue in East Orange around 11 a.m. local time on Thursday, July 23, “after receiving a report that multiple children attending the camp had consumed what appeared to be a variety of mushroom-laced edibles,” the East Orange Police Department (EOPD) said in a news release obtained by PEOPLE.
A preliminary investigation determined that a camp counselor found one camper “passing out what appeared to be candy to other campers, an act prohibited under camp policy,” the EOPD said.
Later, “one of the children who had consumed the suspected edible began complaining of not feeling well,” authorities said, and 12 additional campers subsequently “reported experiencing similar symptoms.”
The affected children range in age from 10 to 13 years old, according to the EOPD.
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Emergency medical personnel responded to the camp and evaluated all 13 of the children, police said.
They were assessed and determined to be in stable condition on-site. One child was transported to a nearby hospital as a precautionary measure due to a pre-existing medical history, according to the EOPD.
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The camper suspected of handing out the laced food has been identified, authorities said. At this time, no charges have been filed.
The investigation into the camp incident remains active and ongoing, per the EOPD.
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“This incident is deeply concerning, particularly because it involves the safety and well-being of children,” East Orange Police Chief Phyllis L. Bindi said in a statement. “The East Orange Police Department takes incidents involving suspected controlled substances extremely seriously.”
“Our detectives are conducting a thorough investigation to determine exactly what occurred, how these suspected edibles came into the possession of a juvenile, and whether any criminal offenses were committed,” she continued. “We are working closely with our partners to ensure the safety of our youth and to hold anyone responsible accountable under the law.”
In a statement to PEOPLE, Richard K. Gorab, the President and CEO of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, said, “A camper at our East Orange YMCA camp shared a substance resembling candy with other campers without our knowledge or consent. Later, when staff noticed campers having an adverse reaction to the substance, we immediately enacted our emergency protocols, contacting emergency services, parents and the police.”
“Emergency responders evaluated the campers who ingested the substance, and all were released to their parents. The East Orange Police are investigating the matter, and we are cooperating fully with them,” he continued.
Gorab added, “As a matter of policy, campers are prohibited from sharing food or snacks with one another. The safety of every child in our care is our highest priority. Out of respect for the privacy of the families involved, we will not be sharing further details about the children or circumstances of the investigation. “
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