Two students have been charged in Pinellas County and accused of giving drug-laced gummy candy to fellow Boca Ciega High School students, sending four of them to the hospital.
The 15- and 16-year-old students face felony drug-dealing charges. A third arrest is expected Wednesday.
St. Petersburg police have confiscated several treats infused with THC during an investigation into the candy.
They’ve released a video to give you a better idea what the treats look like:
Since the beginning of the year, St. Petersburg Police Department says it has investigated five other incidents involving “drug-laced” snacks. The snacks include rice crispy treats, gummy bears and a marshmallow peep.
Seven students at Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport fell ill Monday after eating drug-laced candy, according to the Pinellas County school system.
"This is where we're supposed to groom our kids for the future. You can't have a future if they start doing stupid stuff like this," parent Johnnie Harris said.
Four students were transported to All Children's Hospital for treatment.
"When you got kids hospitalized that's serious…that's something…I mean you could die," parent Valdarie Gaskin said.
A report said the gummy worms involved smelled of marijuana and had an overly-oily feel to them.
"I'm sorry to hear about that, but I definitely don't want nothing to happen to my child so this is what I'm going to keep doing, instilling in him not to take anything from anybody," Gaskin said.
Gulfport police are investigating this case as well as school officials.
Parents said they want to use this incident as an opportunity to teach their kids about drugs.
"It's not a question of like there should be some security at the door checking gummy bears. Who [is] going to think that, you know? I mean drugs can be brought in anywhere, but it's up to us to educate our kids to stay away from it and (the) consequences from it," Harris said.
