13 Children Fell Ill After Eating ‘Mushroom-Laced’ Chocolate at a New Jersey Summer Camp

**Investigation Underway After Children Fall Ill from Suspected Laced Treats at New Jersey Summer Camp**

Thirteen children aged between ten and thirteen fell ill after consuming what is believed to be chocolate laced with psychoactive mushrooms at a summer camp in East Orange, New Jersey. The incident occurred at a YMCA camp on North Arlington Avenue and has prompted an investigation by local authorities.

Emergency services received a report around 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, indicating that multiple attendees of the camp had ingested what appeared to be cannabis-infused treats. The East Orange Police Department (EOPD) confirmed that a camp counsellor discovered one of the campers distributing what appeared to be candy, which is against camp regulations.

Shortly after consuming the suspected edible treats, one child began to feel unwell, leading to a further twelve campers reporting similar symptoms. Upon arrival, medical personnel evaluated the situation, ensuring that all affected children were in stable condition. However, one child was taken to a nearby hospital as a precaution due to a pre-existing medical condition.

The camper allegedly responsible for distributing the laced food has been identified. Fortunately, as of now, no charges have been filed against the individual, and the ongoing investigation is still being conducted by the EOPD.

In light of this incident, East Orange Police Chief Phyllis L. Bindi expressed serious concern over the matter, highlighting the potential danger to the health and safety of children. She stated, “The East Orange Police Department takes incidents involving suspected controlled substances extremely seriously.” Chief Bindi assured the community that detectives were working diligently to ascertain how the substances came into the possession of the juvenile.

Richard K. Gorab, the President and CEO of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, addressed the situation in a statement. He elaborated on the camp’s strict policy against sharing food among campers and confirmed that once staff noticed adverse reactions among the children, emergency protocols were swiftly activated. Parents were notified, and emergency services were called to the scene.

Gorab reiterated the commitment of the YMCA to ensuring the safety of all children in their care, stating, “The safety of every child in our care is our highest priority.” He also noted that out of respect for the affected families’ privacy, further details regarding the children and specifics of the ongoing investigation would not be disclosed.

As authorities continue to investigate the incident, the community remains alert to the implications of safety regulations concerning food sharing and the potential risks associated with unregulated substances. This incident has raised questions about the measures in place at youth camps, particularly regarding the distribution of food and the supervision of activities involving children.

The YMCA camp incident is a stark reminder for parents and guardians to remain vigilant about the interactions and experiences their children face, particularly in environments not directly supervised by them. With the growing prevalence of cannabis-infused products, this situation underscores the necessity for camps to reinforce educational programmes on the dangers of such substances.

In conclusion, as the investigation unfolds, local authorities and the Metropolitan YMCA have emphasised their commitment to safeguarding children and ensuring that incidents like this do not happen again. The safety of youth should always remain paramount, and it is hoped that lessons learnt from this situation will lead to more effective policies and practices in camps across the region.