None of the students who ingested the substance, ammonia nitrate, were seriously ill, but two were taken to the hospital when their symptoms persisted, officials said.
The boys believed to be responsible were on the football team and have been suspended. The incident is being called a prank gone bad. But school and law enforcement officials, as well as the students affected and their parents, are taking the situation seriously.
''Everyone knows it's serious,'' Ida Middle School Principal Sheldon Wiens told The Monroe Evening News for a report Wednesday. ''But there's not been hysteria.''
One boy was suspended for 10 days and the other for five days, officials said. On Tuesday, Monroe County Sheriff's Deputy Tod O'Lone handed in his report to the Monroe County prosecutor's office for possible criminal charges.
The players were sickened on Oct. 12 during practice. The boys, who were on the team at the time, allegedly tore open the plastic on a product called ''Instant Cold Packs.''
The packs are filled with ammonia nitrate and water and are used commonly by athletes to help ease aches and pains.
O'Lone said one boy broke open one of the packs and spiked the team's water bottles with the ammonium nitrate while the other boy acted as a lookout. Teammates then unknowingly drank the poisoned water. Some spit it out right away, saying that it tasted funny. Others didn't notice, officials said.
Hours later, the boys who drank the water became sick. Symptoms included headache, burning throat and vomiting.
10-21-99
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