3 Schoolchildren Hospitalized After Eating 'Gummy-Like Substance'

MIDDLETOWN, NY — Three students at a Hudson Valley middle school were hospitalized this week after eating what school officials termed a "gummy-like substance."

The students were taken to the hospital "as a precaution," Monhagen Middle School Principal Dominick Radogna wrote in a letter to families on Thursday. The school chief said the concerning incident involved four students, but only three became ill.

Radogna said there was no evidence to support speculation the substance was laced with fentanyl. He told parents that the exact nature of the substance is still being looked into.

"We encourage families to have ongoing conversations with their young people about the importance of being cautious and aware of what they consume," Radogna wrote. "Please remind them never to eat or drink anything if they are unsure of its contents."

The letter from Monhagen Middle School Dominick Radogna can be read in its entirety below.

Greetings Monhagen Middle School Families,

We want to address an incident that occurred yesterday at Monhagen Middle School involving
four of our scholars, three who became ill after consuming a gummy-like substance. As a
precaution, the scholars were transported to the hospital for further evaluation. We remain in
contact with their families, and their privacy is being respected during this time.

We are aware of rumors circulating on social media suggesting that the substance was laced
with fentanyl. At this time, we have no evidence to support these claims, and the exact nature of
the substance is still under investigation. We ask for your patience as we work to gather accurate
information.

We did not initiate a lockdown or a hold-in-place. Please be assured that our school
administration and health staff have the situation under control, and there is no evidence of a
broader threat to the school community. We made decisions in real-time to ensure the safety and
well-being of all scholars and staff.

We are one school community, and we must support one another by sharing accurate
information. Posting unverified claims, such as confirming the contents of the gummy without
direct knowledge, can cause unnecessary concern and confusion. We encourage all families to
contact the school directly when they have questions about a matter.

As always, we encourage families to have ongoing conversations with their young people about
the importance of being cautious and aware of what they consume. Please remind them never to
eat or drink anything if they are unsure of its contents.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school community safe and informed.

Respectfully,
Dominick Radogna, Principal