Illinois Elementary Students Hospitalized After Eating Unknown Edible Gummies
Three children were hospitalized Tuesday after ingesting points of unknown origin at an elementary school in the Rogers Park neighborhood, prompting concern and calls for better communication from some parents.
All three students at Joyce Kilmer Elementary School, located at 6700 N. Greenview Ave., were rushed to Ascension St. Francis Hospital in Evanston for medical attention. Thankfully, school officials confirmed that the children are out of danger.
The incident occurred just two hours before dismissal, causing panic among parents who were unaware of what had happened.
“I’ve never been so scared in my life,” said Kelly Kee, the mother of a 6-year-old girl who attends the school.
Kee jumped out of her Uber when she heard about the incident, rushing to get to her daughter as quickly as possible.
“I was terrified because I didn’t know what was going on. There’s so many things circulating around the internet, and I’m terrified,” Kee explained. “I didn’t get a call from the school, from the school at all.”
Principal Natalie Rodriguez addressed the situation in a letter to parents. She described the items as “an unknown substance in the form of gummy edibles,” advising that they likely contained marijuana or another prohibited substance.
While Rodriguez confirmed the safety of the students involved, many parents expressed frustration that the school only notified the parents of the affected students and not the broader school community.
“I don’t even know how this happened. How did they let something like this happen?” Kee questioned.
Jalissa Stafford echoed the sentiment. She felt the school should have informed all parents before the end of the day.
“I think that’s really a negative on their part,” Stafford stated. “It would have been nice to have known something as you’re picking up your child.”
In her letter, Rodriguez encouraged parents to use this as an opportunity to discuss the dangers of accepting edibles from unknown sources with their children.
Both Stafford and Kee expressed their concern but found solace in knowing their children were safe while offering support to those directly impacted.
“I just hope whoever’s child is, you know, in the hospital or whatever is going on, I pray that they get better,” Kee said.
_Rodriguez’s complete letter proceeded as follows:_
“Safety is always my top priority, which is why I am writing to notify you of an incident that occurred during today’s school day. This afternoon, we were made aware that some members of our school community had ingested an unknown substance in the form of gummy edibles. Out of an abundance of caution, notifications were made to ensure these individuals received medical attention.
Everyone is safe. The parents of the impacted community members and the CPS Office of Safety and Security have been notified, and while I cannot provide further details for privacy reasons, I can share that we will be handling this matter in accordance with CPS policies.
We believe the impacted community members may have ingested the unknown substance in the form of ‘edibles,’ which are food or drinks that are made with cannabis or other prohibited substances. Prohibited substances of any kind are not allowed at our school, and we encourage you to take this
opportunity to have a conversation with your child about the health risks associated with consuming edibles and to remind them not to accept food if they do not know where it came from.”
“Thank you for your support and partnership as we continue striving to create a healthy and positive learning environment at our school. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly.”
What specific preventive measures can parents take at home to reduce the risk of their children accidentally ingesting cannabis edibles?
## Interview with Dr. Samantha Green, Child Safety Expert
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Green. As you know, there was a frightening incident yesterday at Joyce Kilmer Elementary School where three students were hospitalized after ingesting unknown edible gummies. This brings up the growing concern over accidental ingestion of cannabis edibles by young children, a topic highlighted in recent research.
**Dr. Green:** Absolutely. This incident is deeply concerning, and sadly, not entirely uncommon. Research published in USA Today [[1](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/01/04/kids-hospitalized-marijuana-edible-cannabis-poisoning/10983318002/)]revealed a staggering increase in cases of children under six consuming these products. We’re talking about a jump from 207 cases in 2017 to over 3,000 in 2021. These gummies are often brightly colored and packaged in ways that can be appealing to children, leading to accidental ingestion.
**Interviewer:** In this particular case, parents have expressed frustration about a lack of communication from the school. What advice would you give schools and parents in light of this incident?
**Dr. Green:** Communication is absolutely key. Schools should implement clear protocols for informing parents about such incidents, even if the situation is still unfolding. Timely and transparent communication can help alleviate fear and prevent the spread of misinformation. For parents, it’s crucial to have open conversations with your children about stranger danger and avoiding unfamiliar substances.
**Interviewer:** What are some specific steps parents can take to prevent accidental ingestion at home?
**Dr. Green:** Keep edibles, cannabis products, and other potentially harmful substances out of reach and in secure containers. Be mindful of where you store them, especially if you have young children. Additionally, educate yourself about the potential dangers of edibles and be aware of the signs of accidental ingestion. Early recognition can be critical in seeking prompt medical attention.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Green, for sharing your expertise on this important issue.
