What started as a regular Thursday at William Penn Middle School in Yardley turned into a scene straight out of breaking news, complete with medics, police and a chopper overhead. Four students were taken to the hospital Thursday afternoon after reportedly eating gummies that police believe contained THC during the school day.
Emergency crews responded to the campus, tending to the students as the helicopter circled above. School officials quickly notified families and began assessing and supporting the students involved, according to district communications.
Lower Makefield Township Police Chief Joseph Kelly III told CBS News Philadelphia that three of the affected students, ages 12 and 13 years old7, "appeared to be under the influence of THC" but had not overdosed. According to CBS, four students were transported to local hospitals for evaluation while first responders remained on scene at William Penn Middle School.
A letter to families cited in the CBS report said staff called emergency personnel as soon as students became ill and shared resources to help parents talk with children and teens about drugs. "Like many schools, we are seeing an increase in the use of vapes, vapes with THC, and edibles in our high school and middle schools," the letter stated, noting that the district will apply its student code of conduct to any violations.
A growing national problem
Public health officials say incidents like this are part of a wider trend. The CDC warns that unintentional cannabis poisonings among children have increased in the years since adult-use legalization, with edibles posing particular risks because potency and packaging can be confusing or misleading.
Research published in Pediatrics using poison control data found substantial rises in pediatric exposures to edible cannabis products in recent years, with many children needing medical care. Emergency physicians report that even when these exposures are not fatal, younger patients can experience severe disorientation, extreme drowsiness and breathing problems.
Investigation and school discipline
Lower Makefield Township police said they are working to determine whether the gummies came from a student or from someone off campus and whether criminal charges are appropriate. Pennsbury’s Pennsbury School District student code of conduct bans possession, use or distribution of controlled substances on school property and lays out possible discipline, including suspension or referral to support services.
District leaders said they will coordinate closely with law enforcement as the criminal investigation unfolds and will make counseling available to students and families affected by the episode.
What parents should do
Health officials advise parents to keep all cannabis products locked away or otherwise out of reach and to treat THC edibles the same way they would treat any household poison.
If a child has eaten a THC edible or is showing concerning symptoms, parents are urged to call the national poison hotline at 10022122 or visit PoisonHelp for guidance. Families should seek emergency care immediately if a child is hard to wake, has trouble breathing or experiences seizures.
Authorities have not yet shared details about how the gummies were packaged or where they came from, and it remains unclear whether anyone will face charges. Police and district officials say they will release more information as the investigation moves forward.
