6 high school students at military ball hospitalized after reacting to ‘over the counter legal substance’

DAVIE — Six Northeast High School students were hospitalized Thursday night with reactions after swallowing an unknown, but legal, substance at an Air Force JROTC Military Ball at the Signature Grand in Davie, according to Broward County Public Schools.

Two students are still in the hospital as of mid-afternoon Friday, according to the school district.

Davie police said in a statement Friday afternoon the six students taken to the hospital by Davie Fire Rescue are the only ones who were affected. Police said they don’t suspect foul play.

“At this time, it is unclear what substance was ingested by these individuals but information suggests it was an over the counter legal substance,” police said.

School staff is at the hospital to assist, according to a statement from the Broward County school district.

“The safety of our students is always our top priority,” the statement said. “The District and Northeast High School administration are concerned and closely following the Davie Police investigation into what caused six students to become ill Thursday night while attending the Air Force JROTC Military Ball at the Signature Grand in Davie.”

One person described what they saw at the scene.

“I saw everybody crying and grieving and I think I saw one having a seizure,” Lorenzo Toafa told WFOR-Ch. 4.

The ball included students from at least two high schools, Northeast and Coral Springs.

Some students speculated drinking water might have been spiked.

“The water at one of our tables, it had drugs in them. People started putting drugs in them,” Earl Cayo, a student, told WPLG-Ch. 10. “We don’t know exactly who or how many people did it, but for the kids who drank it … they got high and everything.”

Sarah Leonardi, a school board member whose district includes Northeast High School, said she’s still waiting to hear more details.

“I’m concerned about what happened. The safety of our kids should always be at the forefront,” she said. “My thoughts are with the kids and their families.”

The Broward County school district hosts about 31 JROTC balls throughout the school year. This is the first year they’ve returned since COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. Some schools join together for their balls while others have them by themselves. Boyd Anderson High School, for example, had its ball Thursday night at Genesis Events Banquet Hall in Pompano Beach.

This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.