Broad Creek, North Carolina – In a concerning incident at Broad Creek Middle School in Carteret County, North Carolina, multiple students were hospitalized after consuming an unknown candy-like substance given to them by a fellow classmate. The event occurred on Wednesday, August 27, prompting swift response from school officials and emergency services.
About 10 children became ill after ingesting the suspicious item, which was shared among students during school hours. This alarming situation has raised attention from parents, law enforcement, and the community regarding student safety and food consumption at school.
Incident Details and Immediate Response
According to statements provided by the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and local media outlets such as WITN, WCTI, and the Carteret County News-Times, the unusual substance led to adverse reactions in approximately 10 students.
- Eight students were transported to Carteret Health Care for evaluation and treatment.
- Thankfully, all affected students appeared to be stable and recovering after receiving medical attention.
- Broad Creek Middle School staff acted promptly to care for the students until paramedics arrived on the scene.
The school principal, Jenny Bell, emphasized the priority of student health and safety in her remarks:
“The safety and health of our students remain our highest priority. We deeply appreciate the quick actions of our staff and the tremendous support of the emergency response teams who worked together to care for our students.”
Ongoing Investigation and Safety Concerns
The Carteret County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting tests on the substance to identify what caused the students’ reactions. As Deputy Derek Moore explained,
“We are waiting [for] test results to determine the presence of any substance which may have caused the adverse reactions affecting the involved students.”
Authorities are also assessing whether any legal or school disciplinary actions will be necessary after the investigation concludes. The incident raises important questions about student safety, especially regarding consuming unknown items shared between classmates.
School and Community Reactions
Jennifer Perryman, a spokesperson for Carteret County Public Schools, advised parents to remind children about the risks of eating unknown substances, saying,
“While students often like to share, it is not always clear what an item contains, and consuming something unknown can result in serious health risks.”
She emphasized the importance of consuming food only from trusted sources like home or the school cafeteria.
One student, Charlotte Race, described the incident as unexpected on the third day of school. She shared with WITN,
“I mean, it was kind of scary. I feel like it wouldn’t be something that you would have thought would happen.”
Key Facts About the Incident
- Date of incident: August 27, 2024
- Location: Broad Creek Middle School, Carteret County, North Carolina
- Number of students affected: About 10
- Students hospitalized: Eight
- Current status: Students are reportedly stable and recovering
- Investigation underway by Carteret County Sheriff’s Office
For more detailed information, visit the original report on NewsBreak here.
Ensuring Student Safety Moving Forward
The incident at Broad Creek Middle School underscores the vital importance of educating students about the dangers of consuming unverified substances. School officials continue to work closely with emergency responders and law enforcement to prevent similar occurrences.
Parents and educators are encouraged to remain vigilant and communicate with children about food safety and proper conduct in school environments.
