Students give classmates ex-lax brownies

DELTON, Mich. (WOOD) - Some Delton Kellogg Middle School students are in trouble after distributing ex-lax-laced brownies to their classmates.

Principal Diane Talo sent at letter, dated Oct. 9, about the incident to parents.

Delton Kellogg Superintendent Paul Blacken confirmed to 24 Hour News 8 Thursday that a student came to school and was handing out the brownies. Another student who knew about the brownies reported the incident to school officials, Blacken said.

More than 20 students ingested the brownies, 24 Hour News 8 was told. The liaison officer at the school spoke to all of the students involved, Blacken said.

Some parents are calling it a bizarre case of bullying, and now the Barry County Sheriff's Department is investigating

"I cried. I got mad. I wanted to hurt somebody and I cried some more," said one grandmother of a student, who ate one of the tainted treats.

Though the letter labels the incident a prank, the grandmother said it was more than a practical joke.

"I don't see it as a prank, no," said the grandmother, who asked not to be identified to protect her granddaughter's identity. "She was singled out along with some of the other students. They were singled out. They were handed the brownies, and said, 'These are for you.' That's not a prank."

But many suspect that the young student who brought the brownies didn't act alone.

"Apparently she had help making these from an adult," said the grandmother. "I want the parents to be held accountable as well as the child."

Talo said in the letter she and a Barry County sheriff's deputy met with the student responsible and that she issued disciplinary measures. She wrote that they both demonstrated remorse.

"We will be working with all students involved to create a better environment for all involved," the letter reads in part. "We will be making attempts at reconciliation with everyone."

The deputy will follow up with parents, Talo said in the letter.

The student responsible was suspended as is district policy while the district investigates, Blacken specified. That student will remain out of school until the investigation is concluded, which will probably be Friday or early next week.

Once the district's investigation is over, school officials will decide what, if any, further punishment is appropriate, according to Blacken. That decision will be confidential.