ST. MARYS, Ga. – A local family received tainted Halloween candy in St. Marys, police said.
The St. Marys Police Department received a report Monday of pills found inside Snickers candy bars. One was a "bite sized" bar and the other was a "fun sized" bar.
The family told police they went trick-or-treating at Park Place Apartments and The Reserve at Sugarmill Apartments on Colerain Road just off Kings Bay Road.
"I was actually surprised, to be honest, because we were at a previous apartment complex, and we felt uneasy, so we moved away to here and felt better," Park Place resident Breeana Michaud said. "It's mostly military -- lots of families, and I wouldn't expect it from this area so close to the base and so many families."
One of the pills was identified as Risperdal, which is an anti-psychotic medicine. It's used to treat schizophrenia and symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Some of the side effects are headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling, tremors, twitching or uncontrollable muscle movements, anxiety, dry mouth, constipation or pain in arms or legs.
The second pill in the candy was identified as loratadine, which is an antihistamine and the side effects are insomnia, dry mouth, headache, nervousness, dizziness and fatigue.
Police are encouraging all parents to carefully check over their children's Halloween candy by examining the packaging for tampering and slicing the candy into pieces before eating.
"I would encourage parents to check the package of candy to see if it's torn," News4Jax crime and safety analyst Gil Smith said. "Any type of opening in the packages, throw it out. And if it's a candy bar, just cut it up before they eat the candy. Supervise them eating it and cut it up and see if there's something inside."
Smith said it's possible for someone to have injected the candy with a tiny needle and suggested inspecting the pieces with a magnifying glass.
If you discover any candy that has been tainted with unknown substances, please contact your local law enforcement officials. The Camden County non-emergency number is 912-729-1442.