Babies Hospitalized After Eating THC-Infused Goldfish Crackers at Daycare

A Stafford County daycare owner has now been charged after three babies in her care were taken to the emergency room after eating goldfish crackers infused with THC.

On March 2, Deputies responded to an area hospital for several babies with THC exposure. Three children, all one year of age were taken to Stafford Hosptial Center after their parents observed lethargic and uncoordinated behavior as well as glassy, bloodshot eyes.

The hospital staff recognized the symptoms and confirmed through testing that each child was exposed to THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces a high sensation.

According to police, the three families were connected to a licensed home daycare provider in the Windsor Forest subdivision.

After searching the daycare and collecting the goldfish crackers around the toddler’s high chairs – lab results confirmed the crackers had THC in them.

Child protective services were brought into the investigation, and the daycare voluntarily surrendered its license.

And unfortunately, kids ingesting edibles isn’t as uncommon as you might imagine.

“We’ve seen an increase in children getting into cannabis or marijuana edibles,” Fiorella Carhuaz said.

Carhauz is the Pubic Health Educator for the States Poison Center. She says in 2020 there were 27 cases reported across the state of children five and younger. That number nearly doubled to 52 reported cases in 2021. So far there have been 18 reported cases of children five and younger ingesting edibles as of the end of March.

You should call poison control if you start noticing that your child has trouble walking, they’re not making a lot of sense, sometimes have trouble breathing, they str at vomiting, even seizure,” Carhuaz said. “This is quite problematic because they can end up in the intensive care unit.”

Carhuaz says a factor in the increase in children ingesting THC-laced edibles is that the edibles are becoming more commonplace in homes and are not being stored properly. Depending on the potency she says there’s roughly a two to three-hour period before you see the effects of these products in children.

Carhuaz says if you suspect your child has ingested these edible call poison control immediately. She also advises avoiding eating them in front of children.

“All the children are seeing is a person eating a brownie and they will get to them,” Carhuaz said. “They will climb if they have to so locking things up is very important.

Swanner has been charged with three counts of cruelty and injury to children.

On April 14, the daycare owner Rebecca Swanner, 60, turned herself into authorities. She has been charged with three counts of cruelty and injury to children, which is a class 6 felony punishable by up to five years in prison according to state law.

Swanner was released by the magistrate on a $2,000 unsecured bond.