VIENNA TWP., Mich. (WWJ) - School officials for Edgerton Elementary said carbon monoxide gas has been ruled out as the reason for a strange and sudden illness that affected almost 20 students on Friday, but now officials are turning their suspicions toward something the children ate.
"At approximately 1:00 pm yesterday, we had several students become ill at Edgerton Elementary School," the school said in a press release on Saturday. "Our initial information suggested carbon monoxide might be the cause of the illness."
Authorities from the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, the Clio City Police Department, the Clio Fire Department, and multiple EMS services all responded to the school after they were notified of the unfolding situation.
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Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said the children were experiencing nausea, vomiting and shortness of breath. and seven students were taken to Hurley Medical Center in Flint.
The school said four students remained hospitalized Saturday, but are listed in stable condition.
While authorities originally believed carbon monoxide was the cause of the sudden sickness in the students, tests completed on Friday by the fire department and Consumers Energy ruled out the gas.
Officials now suspect the elementary school students may have eaten an unknown substance that sickened them.
Authorities learned that five of the sick children were from the same classroom and confirmed a custodian crew was working to sanitize the room in preparation for resuming classes on Monday.
Fletcher Spears III, Superintendent of Clio Area Schools, offered her thanks to the first responders and to the school staff for working quickly to identify the issue and for evacuating the students from the school.
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"I’ve stated on many occasions that student safety is always our number one priority: yesterday’s emergency demonstrated that fact," Spears said. "Finally, a special thank you to all of the parents for your cooperation and understanding."
"Please keep all of the Edgerton students and staff in your thoughts and prayers, especially our little ones at Hurley. We wish them a full and speedy recovery."
Swanson said all evidence collected is now at the Michigan State Police crime lab; it could take 2 weeks for final results.