The Sac County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a second incident involving a child who may have found a THC‑infused gummy at a local park — this time in Schaller.
According to a press release issued yesterday, deputies were called to a home Monday night after a parent reported that their 7‑year‑old child had been chewing on a red, gummy‑type item picked up earlier at the city park. The parent, aware of last week’s THC exposure involving a 3‑year‑old in Sac City, immediately contacted law enforcement and helped identify where the child had been and where the gummy had been thrown away.
A deputy collected the gummy for analysis. Investigators then concealed it inside a law enforcement facility to observe the behavior of K9 Havoc, the department’s certified narcotics‑detection dog. Havoc showed immediate and consistent interest in the exact location where the gummy was hidden and gave a final indication of narcotics.
As the sheriff’s office continues its investigation, Havoc has begun searching parks across Sac County for any additional suspicious items. Calhoun County’s K9 unit is assisting so both counties can search separate areas at the same time. At the time of the press release, 13 parks with children’s equipment had been checked, with no alerts and no additional materials found. Searches were expected to continue through yesterday.
The sheriff’s office says the child is currently well, though the family reported some unusual resting patterns that may be related.
Sheriff Katie Stange emphasized that the goal is not to create fear, but to raise awareness — and to encourage families to talk with children about not eating unknown items, even those that look like common snacks.
This latest case comes just days after Sac City police began investigating how a 3‑year‑old girl tested positive for THC, with her parents believing she may have eaten a gummy‑type candy at a city park. In that case, K9 searches found no suspicious items, and the child recovered after nearly a full day of incapacitation.
Anyone with information about the Schaller incident is asked to contact the Sac County Sheriff’s Office at 712‑662‑7127 and reference case 26‑504.
