8-year-old caught trying to smoke pot

PATASKALA - An 8-year-old student was caught last week trying to smoke marijuana in a school restroom.

The incident occurred Nov. 4 at Pataskala Elementary School, 395 S. High St.

A school employee discovered the 8-year-old girl attempting to light the marijuana, according to a Pataskala Police Department incident report.

The student, upon being found out, threw some of the marijuana into a toilet, according to the report. The student also attempted to discard some of the marijuana in a trashcan.  Police recovered the marijuana from the trashcan.

Pataskala Elementary's principal called police, and the school suspended the student, according to the report.

Pataskala police Chief Bruce Brooks called the incident "eye-opening," considering the student's age.

"The good thing is she didn't know how to (smoke the marijuana)," Brooks said. "She lit the (plastic) baggie."

While police recovered a very small amount of marijuana and a lighter, Brooks said they did not recover any drug paraphernalia.

Police are working with child protective services officials on the case.

Police also are trying to ascertain where the student got the marijuana, said Brooks, adding he could not comment further because of the ongoing investigation.

If police do discover where the student got the marijuana, that person could be charged with endangering children, Brooks said.

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From the school's perspective, Southwest Licking Local Schools Superintendent Robert Jennell said he could not comment on any potential punishment, citing confidentiality laws.

"Obviously, though, we take the tone in the district that (school) is not the place for drugs," Jennell said.

Jennell added the district is working with police, in addition to other agencies.

"We certainly want to make sure we reach out to all the organizations we can to give this student all the help possible," said Jennell, adding the district takes the incident "very, very seriously."