Parents alerted after drug discovered in student's Halloween candy bag

SHALER, Pa. — A western Pennsylvania school issued a warning after a drug discovery inside a child's Halloween candy bag.

Officials called parents to tell them that an elementary student found a pill with candy obtained during a class Halloween party.

Parents like Raymond Minton received a phone message Thursday evening regarding the Halloween scare.

"It was very alarming to me," Minton told Channel 11's Jodine Costanzo. "(It made me) very nervous. I immediately called my son's mom and made sure she got the same call."

Minton's 6-year-old son is a first grader at Shaler's Marzolf Primary School. The alert Minton and other parents found so upsetting was that a prescription pill was discovered in a treat bag brought home by one child following the school's Halloween celebration.

"It's scary to think that could have been my son and he could have consumed the medicine," Minton said. "It's disturbing. It really is."

Dr. Wesley Shipley, the district superintendent, confirmed to Channel 11 News that a Lexapro pill was found in one child's candy bag. Lexapro is a prescription drug used to treat depression. He said that it's not yet known from where the pill came.

Shipley said the phone alert was strictly precautionary, adding that he believes the incident to be isolated. There were no other similar reports.

Parents with concerns were encouraged to contact the district as it continues to investigate.

WPXI