Two Charles County students were caught with vaping devices that tested positive for THC this week, in separate incidents that left one teen in the hospital and both schools on alert. The cases unfolded one day apart at Maurice J. McDonough High School on March 19 and John Hanson Middle School on March 20, and have officials urging parents to take a hard look at what their kids might be puffing on.
In a March 20 Facebook post, the Charles County Sheriff's Office shared photos and details from the investigations. According to the post, the McDonough student was found under the influence of alcohol and other substances and was transported to a hospital for treatment. The sheriff's office said that, in the John Hanson case, a student was caught smoking a vape in a school bathroom, the device tested positive for THC, and the student received a citation for possession of cannabis.
Where the incidents occurred
Maurice J. McDonough High School is located at 7165 Marshall Corner Road in Pomfret. John Hanson Middle School sits at 3165 John Hanson Drive in Waldorf. Both campuses are part of the Charles County Public Schools system.
Health risks and local trend
Public health officials say THC vapes, especially those picked up from informal or unregulated sources, can have unpredictable and sometimes dangerous effects. Previous EVALI outbreaks were strongly linked to contaminants in illicit THC cartridges, according to the CDC.
Local outlets have repeatedly chronicled similar problems in Charles County, including students treated or cited after using THC vapes. Most recently, a December 2025 incident at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School resulted in a student being taken to a hospital for a suspected THC overdose, as reported by The BayNet.
Discipline and legal notes
According to the sheriff's Facebook post, the John Hanson student was issued a citation for possession of cannabis. Students found with THC vapes on campus typically face school discipline and, in some cases, juvenile civil citations instead of adult criminal charges. Charles County schools rely on student conduct policies and coordination with school resource officers to decide how vape and substance incidents are investigated and resolved.
The sheriff's office is urging parents to talk with their children about the risks of using unknown or illicit products and to reach out to school administrators if they have concerns. Families with questions about discipline procedures or student health services are encouraged to contact their child's school or the district for more information.
