In a series of events that underscored the challenges facing school administrators and law enforcement in ensuring student safety and adherence to the law, a replica handgun and several vapes containing THC were seized in two different Charles County schools over the span of two days.
On the morning of March 18, at approximately 10:30 AM, an incident at Milton Somers Middle School raised alarm when a staff member, while walking with several students in the hallway, noticed a handgun protruding from a backpack inside an open locker. The school resource officer was promptly notified and discovered that the firearm was, in fact, a toy gun. The student associated with the locker was identified and isolated in a separate room. It was in this room that the student assaulted another student already present. Under Maryland law, the student involved in the incident cannot be charged criminally; however, the Charles County Department of Juvenile Services has been engaged to handle the situation. Authorities are urging anyone with information about this incident to contact PFC Duley at 301-609-3282 ext. 0494.
The following day, March 19, saw two separate incidents involving the possession of THC-containing vapes by students at John Hanson Middle School. The first incident occurred at approximately 12:30 PM, when a student was suspected of using a vape pen in a school bathroom. Upon investigation, the student was found in possession of the vape, which tested positive for THC. The student received a civil citation for possession of cannabis.
Earlier that day, another student was observed smoking a vape in a classroom setting, a clear violation of school policy. The vape was confiscated and also tested positive for THC, leading to a similar civil citation for possession of cannabis.
In a separate but related incident on the same day, school administrators were alerted to a student suspected of carrying alcohol. Although the initial search was for alcohol, a bag of cannabis was discovered instead. The substance was confirmed to be THC following a test conducted by the school resource officer, resulting in another civil citation for the student involved.
These incidents have prompted officials to remind parents of the importance of discussing the dangers of inhaling or consuming potentially harmful substances with their children. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information from the public regarding these incidents and encourages anyone with details to reach out to PFC Hancock at 301-609-3282 ext. 0499 for the vape-related occurrences and PFC Watkins at the same number, ext. 0721, for the incident involving the bag of cannabis.
