Pill found in Halloween candy; mom thankful daughter is safe

One day after finding a pill hidden inside candy her daughter received trick-or-treating at the Poughkeepsie Galleria, Joann Turner was thankful, while Town of Poughkeepsie police continued their investigation.

“This could have gone a totally different way,” said Turner, a Wappingers Falls resident. “If she ate candy that was contaminated, we could be in a hospital right now trying to figure out what happened. Luckily, my daughter was able to catch it.”

In looking through the haul of free treats she received going from store to store during the Galleria's "Malloween" on Saturday, Turner's 13-year-old daughter found a Snickers bar that was already opened.

“It was separated at the ends,” she said. “It looked like it was carefully opened and slipped back in. The ends had been sliced with something like a razor or a knife.”

Inside the wrapper, Turner said she noticed the candy had been cut horizontally. When she pulled it apart, she found a pink pill inside.

“At first I thought it was another piece of candy,” she said. She grabbed her glasses and looked closer. The pill had “4” written on it. She called the police.

Police took the pill for testing. They are investigating the incident and asking that all parents check their children’s candy for tampering before it is consumed.

The Galleria's management responded to the incident in an emailed statement: "(The) Poughkeepsie Galleria has hosted our annual Malloween event for years to provide a fun and safe place for the community to enjoy Halloween. We are working closely with the tenants and Town of Poughkeepsie police and continue to encourage everyone to always check their candy from every source — grocery, party, trick-or-treating, etc."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Town of Poughkeepsie Police at 845-485-3666.

“I couldn’t believe it happened in my backyard,” Turner said. “I am really shocked. I have always checked my children’s candy and never found anything. Luckily, my paranoia caused my daughter to question why the package was opened.”

Amanda J. Purcell: apurcell@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4807; Facebook.com/pojopurcell; Twitter: @amandajpurcell