The 12-year-old student that provided the THC-infused gummy candy that sent six students to the hospital faces seven felony charges and one misdemeanor charge.

MULBERRY — Six Mulberry Middle School students were taken to the hospital after ingesting most of a 100-milligram block of THC-infused gummy candies Thursday morning.

According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Leviticus Jones, 12, somehow came into possession of the Green Hornet-brand gummies which, if taken as directed, would represent 10 individual doses. THC is the primary psychoactive chemical compound in cannabis.

Detectives are investigating how Jones acquired the gummy candies, as recreational use and possession of THC without a state-issued medical card is illegal in Florida. Edible products, such as the candy, are not currently available from dispensaries under state medical marijuana rules.

“I warned us that all of this was coming,” Judd said in a press conference across from the school Thursday afternoon. Judd had been a staunch opponent of 2016's Amendment 2, the state constitutional amendment that made medical marijuana legal under state law, and earlier attempts by proponents for medical use.

Jones' parents are cooperating with investigators, Judd said, and understand the gravity of the situation.

Judd said that Jones shared the gummies with some friends during gym class.

A total of six children in seventh grade partook, Judd said — two boys and four girls.

Five were taken to the hospital via ambulance and one was transported by his or her parents.

Jones faces seven felony charges — six counts of distribution within 1,000 feet of a school and one on possession of cannabis resin — and a misdemeanor charge of possession of paraphernalia.

Judd said all the children are going to make a “great recovery,” but added “obviously we are concerned how a 12-year-old could come into possession of this drug, this illegal drug in the state of Florida. And two, why did he offer it to these six kids, which quite frankly, with the exception of one little quarter left, have apparently devoured this bar during gym class?”

Polk County Schools Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd said she applauds the staff for their quick response.

“When they heard something had happened with the students, they responded immediately,” she said.

Byrd said they went by classroom to check the children, contacted emergency medical services, and their parents.

“But you know, the sad part of this is, again, we could have been here with a different outcome,” she said.

“They followed through with the procedures and protocols we have in place in making sure that we keep our children safe. What I want to say to parents is everyone at school today is still safe, they will be safe again tomorrow, they are going to be safe throughout because we do have procedures in place to keep children safe,” Byrd added.

Byrd urged parents to monitor their children's online activity to see what they may be purchasing.

“The sheriff and I have a partnership and we have a commitment to keeping our campuses and our children safe,” Byrd said.

The children suffered stomachaches, dizziness, and one of them had almost passed out, Judd said.

Kathy Leigh Berkowitz can be reached at 863-802-7558 or kberkowitz@theledger.com. Follow her on Twitter @kberkowitzthel1.