Authorities in East Orange, New Jersey, are investigating an incident at a YMCA summer camp where more than a dozen children consumed suspected mushroom-laced edibles, leading to hospitalization for one camper and concerning symptoms in others.
The incident occurred Thursday at the East Orange YMCA, involving 13 children aged between 10 and 13. According to reports, one camper shared chocolate that is believed to have contained psilocybin mushrooms with others. Shortly after consumption, one child began to feel unwell, and the other twelve soon developed similar symptoms, described by one parent as a "zombie-like" state.
Emergency personnel responded to the scene and evaluated all affected children, who were reported to be in stable condition. The East Orange Police Department stated that detectives are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the origin of the edibles and whether any criminal offenses occurred.
"This incident is deeply concerning, particularly because it involves the safety and well-being of children," East Orange Police Chief Phyllis Bindi said in a statement. "The East Orange Police Department takes incidents involving suspected controlled substances extremely seriously."
Camp staff noticed some youngsters experiencing adverse reactions and immediately followed emergency protocols, contacting emergency services, parents, and the police. The YMCA confirmed that staff enacted emergency protocols upon noticing the campers' reactions and cooperated with authorities. The camp has a strict prohibition against sharing food items, and a counselor observed one of the children distributing candy.
The investigation is ongoing as officials work to identify how the edibles came into the possession of a juvenile and to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the event.