Police: Kids Hallucinate on Drug-Laced Gummy Candy; Dad Charged

Two children tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana after eating gummy candy they found on the kitchen counter at one of the children’s home. (Photo by Jason A. White via Flickr)

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A Michigan dad was arrested Friday on allegations that two children, one of them his son, hallucinated and became ill after eating suspected drug-laced gummy candy they found on the kitchen counter of his home.

Michael Taylor, 24, of Traverse City, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of fourth-degree child abuse, lying to a peace officer and possession of marijuana, The Grand Rapids News/MLive.com reports.

Taylor’s 7-year-old son and a 9-year-old girl who was visiting on May 15 told police they found the candy and ate it, Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Lt. Chris Barsheff told the newspaper.

Barsheff said both children tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, when they were treated at a hospital after becoming ill on May 15. The Traverse City Record-Eagle said the girl had traces of codeine and hydrocodone, commonly prescribed painkillers, in her system as well.

The girl was rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital after she returned home from the play date and began vomiting, hallucinating and became lethargic, according to police. Taylor and his wife drove their son to the hospital after he began exhibiting similar symptoms.

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The children reportedly told police they had been eating the candy.

When police searched the home later that night, they didn’t find any gummy candy, but seized two plastic bags the children said previously contained between three and four gummy candies each. The bags were sent to the Michigan State Crime Lab for testing.

Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Bob Cooney said Taylor initially lied and said he didn’t know anything about the candy. But when a witness said he had admitted the children had gotten into his candy, he told police the candy was his and turned himself into authorities Friday, UpNorthLive.com reports.