ST. LOUIS – A false social media post about overdoses at a childcare center has prompted the owner to speak out.
The misinformation began after teachers confiscated THC edibles that looked like kids’ candy.
The false Facebook post had mother Shannon Weldon rushing in a panic to check on her two-year-old Monday.
“I was a nervous wreck, driving, trying to get there,” Weldon said about her trip from south County to Beginning Futures Learning Center in north St. Louis.
Weldon said she was relieved that when she arrived at the center, it was a misunderstanding.
Police confirmed there was no evidence anyone ingested any drugs, but that a teacher found THC edibles in a child’s backpack, which looked like candy for children.
“Our educators did the right thing. They are the true winners. They are the educational rock stars,” said Rochelle Bea, center owner and director.
Bea said they were proactive and diligent, starting with, “a very alert educator who happened to be walking past a see-through, clear book bag” when they noticed it.
The picture of the package shows it appeared to have been opened and resealed. The educator called 911.
“It’s not about being afraid to report something or being afraid of what a parent or some person may think—it is about the safety of the children,” Bea said.
The director of Missouri’s Poison Center said issues with cannabis products looking like candy have caused problems.
Weber said it’s become such an issue that the poison center has made a warning flyer titled “Cannabis Edibles or Candy?” But it can be difficult to tell the difference.
“Just last year we were at like 190 cases,” Weber said. “But we had hit pretty much a peak of about 204 cases in a year of kids just five and under.”
Weldon says she’s already begun this discussion with her toddler.
“…To always ask an adult before you take candy. I talked to him about that last night. He said, ‘OK.’”