As moms, we want to take our kids to the park to play and enjoy their hopefully innocent childhoods. Sure, we have to always keep an eye out and be careful, but this should be one of those core memories that kids look back on fondly as adults. Public parks, however, are open to just about anyone, and not everyone shares our affinity for safe, wholesome fun. Occasionally, things such as drugs and alcohol wind up in places meant for children and can cause dangerous situations.
An Iowa police department recently put out a warning for parents after a toddler wound up in a local emergency room sick from something their parents think got picked up at a playground.
The child began acting out of the ordinary.
According to a release on social media from the Sac City Police Department, officials received a notice on May 1, 2026, that a child tested positive for THC after her parents brought her to the ER. After retracing their steps, the parents concluded their little girl must have picked up something while playing at the park. This put the police on high alert, and they began their investigation.
Officers took a K9 unit to investigate.
Per police, the Sac County Police Department and the Sac County Sheriff’s Office responded to the park and did a thorough search of the area. They did not find anything suspicious, but the incident remains under investigation. The police department used the situation as a reminder to all parents.
“Parents, we know small children tend to be curious and tend to put things in their mouths. Kids love candy and snacks in general. It is a friendly reminder that candy and snacks such as brownies, cookies, and gummy candies, are used at times to be laced with controlled substances including but not limited to Marijuana, LSD, MDMA and in some cases Fentanyl,” the message reads.
“It is strongly encouraged as a parent to remind your children that if they locate food or snacks in a public place on the ground or if a stranger gives something to them to not consume it,” the statement added.
Seeing the story made many people sad for today’s children.
Several readers shared the police department’s post, shocked by what they’d read.
“Absolutely wild. Can’t even take your kids to a park now a days. Sad world we live in!” someone wrote.
“That is so sad. That park isn’t that small either depending on where you go,” another person agreed.
Parents have enough to worry about, making sure their kids don’t fall or run off at the park. The possibility of them ingesting drugs should not have to be a thought in our minds. But as we know, those demons can be strong, and drug users don’t always think about all the possible effects of their actions.
