Teen accused of selling pot brownies to middle school students

BENSALEM, Pa. (WPVI) -- A Bensalem High School student is facing charges after police say he sold and distributed marijuana laced brownies to middle school students.

18-year-old Jacob Francisco of Penndel was arrested and charged with possession with intent deliver, corruption of minors, and other related offenses.

Police say Francisco, a senior at Bensalem High School, manufactured and sold the brownies to students at Shafer Middle School.

When upwards of a dozen Shafer Middle Schoolers ate the brownies during school last week, other students went to teachers who contacted police.

Bensalem Director of Public Safety Fred Harran tells us, "He has been selling drugs by his own admission since he was 13 years old. He's got about dozen and a half customers that he regularly sells to, and he was selling them to kids in the middle school."

Harran says marijuana laced brownies are bad as is, but too often dealers lace the brownies with synthetic marijuana and other chemicals that can lead to hallucinations and other serious side effects.

"They can be ingesting something in their body that could, theoretically, kill them, when they think they are taking pot," Harran said.

Harran says parents of the children involved are cooperating with the investigation.

"There's no doubt that if he had customers in the elementary school, he would've sold to elementary kids. This is the type of individual we don't need on our streets here in Bensalem," Harran said.

Investigators say another person will likely be charged in this case. His name is not being released because he is a juvenile.

Shafer Middle School's principal released a statement that reads in part:

"The first priority was to have the school nurse screen all of the students to assure there were no negative effects from consuming the brownies... Parents of these students were notified and the district continues to cooperate with the ongoing investigation with Bensalem Township Police Department."

Parents of Shafer students not directly affected are concerned automated phone calls didn't go out until Monday.

One of those parents is Susan Brodecki, who tells us, "We did get a phone call. At least we were alerted to it, but two days later?"

Bensalem police say a search warrant of Francisco's home uncovered drugs and cooking supplies.

Many are surprised at how these brownies got in the hands of kids this young, and police warn that often kids don't know what they could be laced with.

In addition, police are commending the students who spoke up to staff after noticing fellow students taking the brownies.

Jacob Francisco is currently being held on $100,000 bail.