Caldwell Police Investigate Suspicious Powder at Grover Cleveland Middle School

A substance discovered by custodians at a Caldwell middle school Thursday was investigated by local police and deemed to be harmless, according to Caldwell-West Caldwell district officials.

The white powder was reported at 4:30 p.m. about 90 minutes after Grover Cleveland Middle School on Academy Road was let out. The school was evacuated while Caldwell Police and Nutley Hazmat conducted an investigation which determined the substance was a harmless type of vitamin powder.

"A GCMS custodian discovered a small bag containing a powdery substance in the boys bathroom," the school's principal James Brown said in a letter emailed to parents Friday morning. "The custodian immediately brought this to the attention of administration and the Caldwell Police were then contacted."

Superintendent James Heinegg said police as a precaution wanted to be sure the substance found in the building was safe.

"There was no danger or hazard at the GCMS and all was deemed safe," Chief James Bongiorno said Friday.

The incident comes as the country is on high alert after letters laced with the poisonous powder ricin were addressed this week to President Barack Obama and a Mississippi senator. The FBI arrested a suspect from Mississippi believed to be responsible for the letters.