Louisiana School System Bans All Candy After Student

BAKER, La. — Candy is now being banned from school campuses in Baker after a high school student was hospitalized following an incident involving an edible the student said had been laced with an unknown substance.

The incident happened Friday, August 14, during the first week of school at Baker High School. According to Baker Police, a juvenile called 911 after consuming an edible the student said was laced. The student required medical attention and was hospitalized. Exactly what the student consumed remains unknown.

Preston Castille, CEO of Helix Community Schools, said officials still do not know what substance may have been in the candy or edible.

In response to the incident, Baker Schools announced that candy will no longer be allowed on school campuses. Castille compared the district’s approach to how schools handle serious food allergies, saying officials don’t want students bringing candy onto campus and want greater control over what is being brought into schools. The new restrictions could also mean increased scrutiny of other food brought onto campus, and officials said students with allergies or specific dietary restrictions should communicate those needs with their school.

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Baker High students already pass through a metal detector when entering the building as a security measure. Now, school officials say they will also be paying closer attention to food items students bring with them.

However, Superintendent J.T. Stroder emphasized that investigators have not determined where the substance came from or where it was consumed, and there is currently no confirmed evidence that the substance originated at Baker High School or was obtained on campus. The school system is working with Helix Community Schools and local law enforcement as officials continue gathering information about what happened.

School officials are also urging parents to speak with their children about accepting candy, gummies, baked goods or other food from people they do not know or trust. For now, the district’s response is sweeping: no candy on campus.