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- Police said nearly two dozen students consumed marijuana-laced edibles at Fort Dearborn Elementary School in Chicago on May 13
- Eleven students, who range in age from 11 to 14, were subsequently hospitalized, according to reports
- The students reportedly have since been released from Christ Hospital
Eleven students were hospitalized after ingesting marijuana edibles at a Chicago elementary school, authorities said.
Police said 22 students at Fort Dearborn Elementary School on Chicago’s South Side consumed edibles that contained THC on Tuesday, May 13, according to CBS affiliate WBBM-TV and FOX affiliate WFLD.
Parents said the incident occurred after a student brought the cookies to school, ABC affiliate WLS-TV reported. Of the nearly two dozen students who ate the laced treats, 11 needed medical attention, police added.
The students hospitalized range in age from 11 to 14, according to CW affiliate WGN-TV.
In a letter to families obtained by WFLD and WGN-TV, the school’s principal confirmed that students had ingested the substance, noting that support was “immediately provided” to the “impacted community members.”
Parents of the impacted individuals and the Chicago Public Schools’ Office of Safety and Security were notified as well, the principal said.
“Safety is always my top priority, which is why I am writing to notify you of a situation impacting our school,” the principal said.
The principal later stated in the letter, “Prohibited substances of any kind are not allowed at our school, and we encourage you to take this opportunity to have a conversation with your child about the health risks associated with consuming edibles, and to remind them not to accept food if they do not know where it came from.”
School officials and police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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The children who consumed the cookies were transported to Christ Hospital and have since been released, according to WFLD.
Trianna Jones told WLS-TV that her child spat out the cookie after noticing it “didn’t taste right.”
“I don’t think it was packaged or anything,” she added.
Many parents have questions about how the student came into possession of the cookies, according to WBBM-TV. Some believe the adult responsible for the child who brought the cookies to school should be held accountable.
“You have to be careful what you leave out and have around your children,” said parent Ethel Allen. “Parents, please pay attention.”
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