Students hospitalized after eating brownies

Nine students taken to Kendall Regional Medical Center, Miami Children's Hospital; Man arrested

WESTCHESTER, Fla. – One man has been arrested after nine high school students were transported to two area hospitals Thursday after eating brownies containing an unknown substance, according to the Miami-Dade School Board.

The incident happened at Miami Coral Park Senior High School, located at 8865 SW 16th Street, about 11 a.m.

"There was a girl just on the floor and she was awake but on the floor," said Stephanie Acosta.

"People just on the floor, fainting, and then a lot of people thought there was more and then everyone found out there were a lot of classes happening," said Walter Viera.

According to the district, one of the students named at least 10 others who shared in brownies off campus before schools.

The district said 22-year-old Dionisio Lockridge, not a student of the school, was arrested Thursday. A large amount of marijuana was found inside his home, along with cocaine, said officials.

A school official said the brownies were recovered and submitted to the Miami-Dade crime lab for testing.

School officials called a "Code Yellow," locking down classrooms until students went to lunch.

The students were taken to Kendall Regional Medical Center and Miami Children's Hospital as a precaution. A tenth student was treated but not transported.

Their parents were notified. Several parents at the school said the brownies were filled with drugs.

"We don't know if it's true or not," said Juan Riobo, a father. "We want to get our kids and they don't let us get our kids."

"They were like, 'I'm going to pick you up just in case,'" said Lorena Lopez. "Whoever did it is going to feel very bad because they caused total mayhem in school."

"Miami-Dade Schools Police are investigating the matter to identify the substance that the students ingested as well as the source of the substance," read a statement from district school spokesman John Schuster.

Lockridge was arrested for the drugs found inside his home and transported to DCJ. Officials said he has multiple charges, including possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine and possession of a controlled substance (Xanax).

Schuster said more arrests may be expected as the investigation continues, and any further charges are awaiting the lab results.