A 4-year-old student at a northwest Austin Montessori school was hospitalized after eating a THC-infused lollipop that slipped into a birthday goodie bag, according to school officials. The child received medical care and is recovering, and the preschool says it has since revisited its safety procedures.
What School And Police Reported
According to KVUE, The Nest at Anderson Mill reported that the THC lollipop was handed out in a birthday goodie bag that another parent put together. The child ate the candy off campus before being taken to a hospital. The child's mother shared a photo of the wrapper with the station, and the school told KVUE that administrators learned of the exposure the same day but did not notify families until two days later.
Rising Edible Exposures In Texas
Data from the Texas Poison Center Network show a steep increase in cannabis-related calls to poison control in recent years. As reported by The Texas Tribune, those calls reached 2,592 in 2024, with children under six making up a significant share. Betsy Jones, director of policy and strategy at Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth, told the Tribune that accidental exposures among very young children have become increasingly common.
School Response And Police Inquiry
The Nest says it reviewed its procedures and put new steps in place, including quicker notifications to families after incidents, KVUE reports. The Austin Police Department's child abuse unit looked into how the THC candy ended up with the child and, according to the same reporting, found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. The case was administratively closed. School leaders and child-safety advocates are urging parents to scan birthday bags, party favors, and random treats for anything that might be mistaken for ordinary candy.
What Parents Can Do
Child-safety advocates point out that cannabis-infused edibles are often packaged and shaped to look like regular candy, which makes them especially tempting to small children. Parents are encouraged to keep any edibles locked away, check treats that kids bring home from parties, and call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if they suspect a child has ingested THC. Statistical dashboards from the Texas Poison Center Network provide more detail on trends in cannabis-related exposures.
