Nine students from Richard J. Daley Elementary Academy on the South Side of Chicago had a scare Wednesday morning after consuming a "suspicious" substance found on their way to school. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the incident required the dispatch of at least six ambulances to the academy, located at 5024 S. Wolcott Ave., around 9:30 a.m. The Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Merritt reported the children "found a substance," leading to the involvement of first responders.

These students, all under the age of 10, ingested what was later identified as "common over-the-counter medicine." The Sun-Times noted that despite the initial alarm, the substance has been deemed 'non-toxic' by authorities. Meanwhile, ABC7 Chicago reported a Chicago Fire Department spokesperson's confirmation that the medication posed no unusual threat, having been tested by the Chicago fire officials.

As of 10:05 a.m., Merritt shared with The Sun-Times that "They're being checked out," referring to the children's condition post-ingestion. Remarkably, no hospitalizations had been reported at that time. Subsequently, all nine children were taken to the hospital for precautionary measures, reflecting the gravity with which the situation was treated despite no immediate health threats being apparent.

Outside the school, anxious parents and first responders could be seen as Chopper 7 hovered overhead, capturing the unfolding scene. According to officials, all kids are expected to be okay—a collective sigh of relief in what could have been a dire medical emergency. The full report on the incident remains pending, with police on the scene and no further details made available on the paperwork or how the medication ended up in the children's possession.