Silver Lake Elementary School Garden Closed After Children Sickened

SILVER LAKE, CA -- The garden at an elementary school in Silver Lake has been closed after students became ill after eating some vegetables grown there, officials said today.

The students were sickened on Wednesday.

"We recently learned that a small number of students at Micheltorena Street Elementary School became ill after eating vegetables from a community garden located on their campus. Our thoughts are with these children and their families as we await more information on their condition," according to a statement from Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Michelle King.

The district has closed the garden and a team from its Office of Environmental Health and Safety is investigating, King said.

"In addition, in an abundance of caution, I have directed our safety team to inspect every district garden for potential hazards," she said.

A parent told ABC7 his child became ill and required hospitalization after eating a mushroom that was given to him by someone at the garden, which, according to the Los Angeles Times, is available for use by residents who live near the school.

City News Service; File photo by Hagerty Ryan, USFWS