A New Jersey summer camp outing took a frightening turn after 13 children became ill when they allegedly ate chocolate that authorities believe contained hallucinogenic mushrooms. Police continue to investigate how the suspected edible reached the camp and whether anyone will face criminal charges.
According to CBS News, the incident happened around 11 a.m. on July 23, 2026, at the East Orange YMCA summer camp on North Arlington Avenue. According to the East Orange Police Department, a camp counselor spotted one juvenile camper handing out what appeared to be candy to other children, even though camp rules prohibit campers from sharing food.
Shortly afterward, one child reported feeling sick. Twelve more campers aged 10 to 13 developed similar symptoms.
One mother said the kids acted like “zombies”
The incident alarmed parents who rushed to the camp after receiving phone calls from staff. “When I arrived, there were 13 children; they looked like zombies. It was sad really sad. This shouldn’t happen,” parent Cynthia Cunningham told WABC.
Cunningham also told local reporters that her daughter believed she had eaten an ordinary piece of chocolate. She said the candy tasted unusual, and her daughter spit it out, but she later learned some children reportedly ate several pieces.
Emergency medical personnel evaluated all 13 campers. Officials said all 13 children were in stable condition. Twelve of the children were cleared on-site and sent home with their parents. EMS transported one camper to University Hospital for precautionary observation related to a prior medical condition.
East Orange Police Chief Phyllis L. Bindi described the case as “deeply concerning” because it involved children’s safety. She said detectives are working to determine exactly what happened, how the suspected mushroom-laced edible came into the juvenile’s possession, and whether any criminal offenses occurred.
In a statement, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges noted that counselors alerted emergency services, law enforcement, and guardians as soon as campers began showing signs of illness. The YMCA also reiterated that campers may not share food or snacks and said it is cooperating fully with the police investigation.
Authorities have identified the juvenile believed to have distributed the chocolate. However, police have not released the child’s identity because the person is a minor. As of the latest public updates, no charges have been filed against the juvenile or anyone else. Investigators have not announced whether the child knew the chocolate allegedly contained hallucinogenic mushrooms.
Some parents told local media their children said the chocolate may have come from a family member as a birthday gift, but investigators have not verified that account. Officials continue to investigate how the product reached the camp and have not publicly confirmed its source.
According to CBS News, Dr. Anita Mudan from University Hospital reviewed a picture of the product packaging provided to medical staff. She noted the package listed a “proprietary mushroom blend” rather than explicitly listing psilocybin. Toxicologists have not yet confirmed the exact chemical composition or whether it was a hallucinogenic substance or an over-the-counter legal mushroom product.
Police continue to remind parents to talk with children about the dangers of accepting or eating unknown food, candy, or other products. Detectives have not announced any arrests, and the investigation remains ongoing as they work to determine how the suspected mushroom-laced chocolate entered the camp.
Published: Jul 27, 2026 03:07 pm