STATESVILLE, NC– On Sunday, Sheriff deputies responded to a call of a possible drug overdose at a home in North Iredell.
The caller told authorities that they noticed their spouse and three children were showing symptoms of possibly being poisoned.
Deputies arrived on the scene along with EMS and spoke with the caller who learned the family had been to another relative’s home earlier and had consumed brownies.
The caller believed the brownies were tainted with something which caused the illness.
The three minor children were found to be in serious physical condition and were transported to the hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Two adults in the home also received treatment for symptoms.
After interviewing the caller, deputies learned the name of the relative who had given them the
brownies and the location of his home.
When Deputies arrived at the house, they spoke to Justin Neal French and reported to smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the residence.
Deputies searched the residence and located a 4 year old child who appeared to be suffering the same symptoms as the other children at the first location.
Detectives interviewed Justin French who admitted to making marijuana infused brownies for
personal use but stated the marijuana laced brownies had unknowingly got mixed together with
regular brownies.
A total of four children and two adults had eaten the brownies.
French was arrested and charged Four Counts of Misdemeanor Child Abuse, Four Counts of Felony Sell and Deliver a Controlled Substance to a Minor Under 13 Years Old, Aggravated
Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and
Misdemeanor Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substance.
