OAK HILL, W.Va. — The investigation into how a 3 year-old Fayette County girl ended up with what was believed to be heroin in her trick-or-treat bag has taken a twist.
The West Virginia State Police Lab in Charleston and the Oak Hill Police Department announced Thursday their testing of the powdery substance came back negative for heroin. Instead, it has been tested positive as a marijuana derivative.
Oak Hill Police Chief Mike Whisman said although the outcome of the testing is different from the field test completed by his department, the severity of the offense is the same.
“The Oak Hill Police Department, along with the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force and the West Virginia State Police will continue to vigorously investigate this crime until all leads are fully exhausted.”
Authorities are still investigating where the drug came from. The girl’s mother, who discovered the drug wrapped in a rubber glove, said they discovered it while in the area of Hidden Valley.
“While possession of this small amount of either marijuana or heroin is a misdemeanor, allowing a child to come into contact with it is a felony and whoever is found responsible, whether it was intentional or accidental, will be charged with multiple offenses,” said Whisman.
In an earlier interview with MetroNews affiliate WJLS in Beckley, Whisman encouraged all parents to check Halloween Candy before consumption.
“Things that just look out of place, out of the ordinary. Just take a good look at it and make sure that things haven’t been opened.”
Nobody was harmed in the incident.