East Orange Police Chief Phyllis L. Bindi reports 13 children fell ill after consuming mushroom-laced chocolate at a YMCA summer camp.

East Orange Police Chief Phyllis L. Bindi confirmed that 13 children, aged 10 to 13, experienced adverse reactions after consuming chocolate laced with hallucinogenic mushrooms at a YMCA summer camp. The incident occurred on Thursday morning when a counselor observed a child distributing the suspected edibles to fellow campers. One child began complaining of discomfort shortly after eating the candy, followed by 12 others who exhibited similar symptoms. Parent Cynthia Cunningham described the children as looking like "zombies" as they reacted to the substance. While most children were evaluated on-site and remained in stable condition, one was transported to a hospital as a precaution due to a pre-existing medical condition. The YMCA stated that it is official policy for campers to avoid sharing food. Police have identified a suspect in the case, though no formal charges have been filed yet. The investigation continues to determine how the juvenile obtained the edibles and whether any criminal offenses were committed.

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