A Columbus mother says her eighth-grade son was rushed from Champion Middle School to Nationwide Children’s Hospital after he collapsed in class shortly after eating what she believes were THC gummies. The boy, identified by his family as Dejuan Johnson, has sickle cell anemia, which made the ordeal especially terrifying for his parents. Relatives said he was expected to stay at the hospital overnight and be released Friday.
Johnson’s mother, Shareece Strongs, told ABC6/WSYX she got an urgent call telling her to rush to Nationwide Children’s because her son "was unconscious and wasn’t moving, wasn’t speaking." Columbus City Schools confirmed to the station that one student from the 19-school region that includes Champion was transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital after ingesting marijuana products, and said that region has recorded 56 marijuana-related cases so far this school year.
In response, Champion Middle School Principal Kanika Fields-Battle sent a letter to families dated April 16, 2026, warning that "there has been an increase in students bringing prohibited items to school, including cannabis products," and urging parents to talk with their children and check backpacks. The notice reminds families that cannabis is not allowed on school property and that incidents can lead to disciplinary action and, in some situations, law enforcement involvement, consistent with what is outlined in the ABC6/WSYX copy of the principal’s letter.
Poison Center Calls Are Climbing, Doctors Warn
Researchers at the Central Ohio Poison Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital have reported sharp increases in calls about delta-8 and other THC products, and caution that children make up a large share of those exposures. A national analysis of edible-related ingestions, summarized by MedicalXpress, found that edible exposures have helped drive an uptick in pediatric emergency department visits and hospital admissions in recent years.
Champion’s letter urges families to have "open conversations" about what students can and cannot bring to school, and Columbus City Schools encouraged parents to contact their child’s school with questions. Health experts say caregivers should treat cannabis edibles like any medication: keep them locked up and out of reach. If a child is believed to have ingested a product containing THC, they advise calling Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
