COURTLAND, Va. — A 16-year-old student from Southampton High School has been charged after eight students were hospitalized from eating candy on June 11.
The female student was charged with nine counts of possession with intent to distribute schedule I/II narcotics and nine counts of distribution of drugs on school grounds.
The Southampton County Sheriff's Office said the girl turned herself in to authorities on Sunday, June 16. She was taken to Chesapeake Juvenile Services in Chesapeake before she appeared in court on Monday. She has since been released back into her parents' custody.
According to court documents, the students bought the candy from 18-year-old Jaden Phillips from Suffolk, believing them to be marijuana edibles.
The student told investigators she received the candy from Phillips and brought them to sell at school.
Phillips has also been charged with felony possession with intent to distribute, felony distribution to someone under 18 and misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Phillips was granted a $10,000 surety bond Tuesday on all charges. His preliminary hearing date is set for Sept. 17th.
The sheriff's office said evidence has been submitted to the Department of Forensic Science, but an analysis is not yet available.