13 Children Fall Ill After Eating Mushroom-Laced Chocolate at NJ Summer Camp
Thirteen children at a New Jersey summer camp fell ill last month after unknowingly eating chocolate that police believe was laced with psilocybin mushrooms, an incident that has left parents demanding answers and prompted an ongoing criminal investigation.
The East Orange Police Department responded to the YMCA camp on North Arlington Avenue around 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, "after receiving a report that multiple children attending the camp had consumed what appeared to be a variety of mushroom-laced edibles," the department said in a statement.
A preliminary investigation found that a camp counselor had spotted one camper "passing out what appeared to be candy to other campers, an act prohibited under camp policy." The affected children ranged in age from 10 to 13.
A Frightening Scene for Parents
Emergency medical personnel evaluated all 13 children at the scene, and all were assessed as stable. One child was transported to a hospital as a precautionary measure due to a preexisting medical condition. Parent Cynthia Cunningham described arriving to pick up her daughter amid the chaos. "When I arrived, there were 13 children, they looked like zombies. It was sad, really sad," she said. "This shouldn't happen." Video captured Cunningham rushing her 12-year-old daughter, one of the affected campers, to the hospital.
Another parent voiced frustration over how a child could have obtained the products in the first place. "There is enough blame to go around, you know, because an 11-year-old kid can't buy these things," the parent said.
Investigation and Response
Police said a suspect, a fellow camper, has been identified, though no charges had been filed as of the most recent update. East Orange Police Chief Phyllis L. Bindi addressed the seriousness of the case in a statement. "This incident is deeply concerning, particularly because it involves the safety and well-being of children," Bindi said. "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. We are working closely with our partners to ensure the safety of our youth and to hold anyone responsible accountable under the law."
The YMCA said in a statement that "the safety of every child in our care is our highest priority," adding that camp policy prohibits campers from sharing food with one another and that the organization is cooperating fully with the police investigation.
Photos shared by a parent reportedly showed packaging from at least one commercial edibles brand. A representative for that company said its products are intended strictly for adults and that it does not expect law enforcement inquiries given that its products don't contain controlled substances, though the company said it would respond promptly if contacted by investigators.
A Broader Reminder for Parents
Police used the incident to reiterate broader safety guidance for families. Investigators noted that the case serves as a reminder for parents and guardians to talk with children about the dangers of consuming food, candy or other products from unknown sources, particularly items that may resemble ordinary snacks or candy.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, and police have not released additional updates on the case's status.
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