More than a dozen children at a New Jersey summer camp chowed down on suspected mushroom-laced chocolate, sending the group into a “zombie”-like state and hospitalizing one, according to a report.
The campers, aged between 10-and 13-years-old, consumed the apparent edibles on Thursday at the East Orange YMCA Thursday, creating a concering ordeal for parents and counselors.
“When I arrived, there were 13 children, they looked like zombies,” Cynthia Cunningham, who raced her 12-year-old child to the hospita, told ABC7.
“It was sad, really sad. This shouldn’t happen,” she continued.
Authorities in East Orange are investigating after several children at a summer camp ate potentially mushroom-laced edibles. ABC7
Cunningham’s kid was one of 13 campers who were given the chocolate from another camper at the East Orange YMCA Thursday.
Shortly after they ate the suspected laced candy bar, one of the children began to feel ill.
Twelve other campers soon developed similar symptoms, according to police.
Emergency personnel got to the scene and evaluated the group, who were all in stable condition.
“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 to ABC7.
“The East Orange Police Department takes incidents involving suspected controlled substances extremely seriously,” the statement continued.
Shortly after the campers ate the reportedly laced chocolate, one of them began to feel ill. Sergei – stock.adobe.com
“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.”
Police said one of the YMCA counselors saw one of the youngsters passing out candy, which is strictly prohibited at the camp.
The YMCA said in a statement to ABC7 that “when staff noticed campers having an adverse reaction to the substance, we immediately enacted our emergency protocols, contacting emergency services, parents and the police.”
The East Orange Police Department did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
