Michigan mother charged after THC gummies hospitalize 4 pupils
Melinda Gatica of Mt. Morris Township was arraigned on May 4, 2022, on felony second-degree child abuse after her 6-year-old took homemade THC gummies to Edgerton Elementary School and shared them with kindergarten classmates. Four pupils were hospitalized, and Gatica was released on a $25,000 bond barring marijuana and alcohol from her home.
🇺🇸 Edgerton Elementary School, Vienna Township, Genesee County · Michigan, United States
Arrested
1
Charged
1
Agencies
Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Genesee County Prosecutor's Office +1
Melinda A. Gatica of Mt. Morris Township was arraigned on Wednesday, May 4,
2022, on one felony count of second-degree child abuse.[1]She turned herself
in before the hearing and pleaded not guilty before Genesee County District
Court Judge William H. Crawford.[1]She was taken into custody on Wednesday
after turning herself in.[2]The judge set a $25,000 bond barring marijuana,
marijuana products and alcohol from her home and requiring random drug testing.[1]
According to Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton, her 6-year-old child took
homemade THC gummies stored in a Life Savers package to Edgerton Elementary
School in Vienna Township and shared them with kindergarten classmates.[2]More than a dozen students fell ill on Friday, April 29.[1]The school
building of more than 400 students was evacuated as a precaution.[1]Four
kindergarten students were hospitalized; three were discharged the next day and
the fourth after two days, and all four were back at school.[2]A later
account said five kindergarten students from one classroom were taken to Hurley
Medical Center in Flint.[1]
Gatica purchased liquid THC in 2021 and made her own marijuana-infused gummy
edibles with up to 30 milligrams of THC per gummy, according to Sheriff Chris
Swanson.[1]In announcing the charge, authorities said Gatica left the
marijuana edibles in a LifeSavers package on a shelf inside her refrigerator.[1]Leyton said making and possessing such edibles is legal in Michigan, but
that leaving them where a child could reach them was her error.[1]Second-degree child abuse is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.[2]Her attorney said she understands the seriousness of the allegations and
wanted to answer to the court right away.[1]A probable cause conference was
scheduled for Thursday, May 12.[1]
Photos and video
Photo of Melinda Gaticia published with the report on the child-abuse charge. Photo: Genesee County Sheriff's OfficePhoto details
The submitted account spells the mother's surname 'Gaticia' while the later account spells it 'Gatica'; this report uses 'Gatica'.
The accounts differ on hospitalizations: the submitted account says four kindergarten students were hospitalized, while the later account says five were taken to Hurley Medical Center.
No weight of cannabis or count of gummies was published; only the reported strength of up to 30 milligrams of THC per gummy is known, which is not recorded as a cannabis weight.
The school incident occurred on April 29, 2022; May 4, 2022, the arraignment date, is used as the incident date as the latest covered step.
No plea, trial or sentencing outcome is recorded in the cited reports.
The second cited page reproduces an MLIVE report rather than reporting independently.
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