Students facing charges for giving out drug-laced brownies at Oxon Hill High School

Two students are facing charges after being arrested for giving out drug-laced brownies in school.

Parents are just learning about what happened even though they were busted last month.

Nearly a dozen students at Oxon Hill High School ate the brownies and one had to be taken to the hospital.

Prince George's County Public Schools is not saying what illegal drug was in the brownies, but according to the criminal charges against the students, it was marijuana.

Students say the halls at the school are abuzz about the drugged up brownies. Katherine Salazar, a junior at the school, and James Edwin, a sophomore, were not involved, but everyone has been talking.

"People told us it was illegal substances," Salazar said. "Some said marijuana, some said, ‘What was it? It was too strong.'"

On Monday, the principal sent home a letter telling parents "after an investigation, it was found that one of our students made brownies laced with illegal substances and distributed them to several students in the school."

They got caught after one student got sick enough to require a transport to the hospital. After that, ten others were seen by the school nurse as a precaution.

"I'm not surprised someone brought brownies spiked up with something," said Edwin. "What surprises me is that someone went to the hospital."

This all happened on December 19, 2014, the last day before winter break, but the school did not send the letter home to parents until January 5, 2015.

In a statement, Prince George's County Public Schools explained, "The investigation of the incident was completed on January 5 due to schools being closed for the winter break. A letter notifying all parents of the incident was sent home that day."

The two weeks it took to notify parents may have seemed long, but some parents understood given the winter break.

"They notified the parents and anyone who might have been involved, and I feel like they did the appropriate thing as soon as they could," said Warren Reecks, an Oxon Hill High School parent.

According to the letter, "All of the parents whose students were directly involved were contacted at the time of the incident. Disciplinary actions are being taken."

Two students were charged. One was charged with intention to distribute marijuana and the other was charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana. They were arrested that day and released to their parents.

The school system not saying what disciplinary action was taken. According to school policy, a student caught using illegal drugs could receive anything from a short-term suspension of one to three days or expulsion. Those caught distributing illegal drugs could receive a long-term or extended suspension up to 45 days or get kicked out of school and sent to an alternative program.

Statement from Prince George's County Public Schools:

"On Friday, December 19, an Oxon Hill High School student brought brownies laced with illegal substances and distributed them to some students at school. As a result, one student was transported to the hospital, and ten additional students who may have ingested a brownie were evaluated by school nurses.

"At the time of the incident, school staff contacted all parents whose students were directly involved. The investigation of the incident was completed on January 5 due to schools being closed for the winter break. A letter notifying all parents of the incident was sent home that day.

"Disciplinary actions are being taken in accordance with the PGCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook."

Letter sent home from the principal of Oxon Hill High School to parents:

"Dear Parents and Guardians:

"I am writing this letter to inform you of an incident that occurred on our last day before winter break, Friday, December 19. After an investigation, it was found that one of our students made brownies laced with illegal substances and distributed them to several students in the school. As a result, one student was transported to the hospital and other students who may have ingested a brownie were seen by the school nurses as a precaution.

"All of the parents whose students were directly involved were contacted at the time of the incident. Disciplinary actions are being taken in accordance with the PGCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

"We encourage you to sit down with your child and discuss this event and the severity of this situation. Please share with them the dangers of taking any drugs, especially those in food or confectionary form. Also, please share with them that the possession, distribution, or use of any prescribed or illegal drug or substance is in violation of the guidelines for behavior outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook and will not be tolerated.

"Oxon Hill High School is a place of learning, and it's our goal to facilitate success for all students. We strive to provide a safe environment for learning to take place. This incident is not indicative of all the positive changes we have made in establishing Oxon Hill High School as a premier school for education.

"If you have any questions, please contact me at 301-749-4300."

Sincerely,

Dr. Jean-Paul Cadet
Principal