FAIRCHANCE, Pa. — Channel 11 got answers after a vial of insulin got mixed into a shaved ice machine during a Halloween event.
We spoke to the owner of the shaved ice truck, who says state police were at his home Thursday morning investigating, and that he was fully cooperative. He says this was truly an accident and he’s thankful no kids were hurt.
Lisa Mitchell is a parent of two sons who attend A.L. Wilson Elementary School.
“I was upset because I felt like kids could’ve seriously got hurt because of what was in it,” Mitchell said.
They were supposed to be at a Trunk or Treat event Wednesday night at the school where the Have an “ice day” shaved ice truck was, but weren’t able to make it. Mitchell says it was concerning after the superintendent of Albert Gallatin Schools put out a social media post on Wednesday evening, after the event, saying shaved ice served at the event may have been contaminated with insulin and broken glass.
She said, “I was happy that my kids didn’t get to attend because of what happened. It could’ve been them.”
Mark Howard is the owner of Have an “Ice Day” Shaved Ice - a company that has provided service to the school district for years.
Howard says that during the event, he reloaded a shaved ice machine and then heard an unusual sound. When he checked it out, he found a small vial of insulin had gotten mixed in. Howard says he immediately stopped using that machine and removed it. A second, unaffected machine was used for the rest of the event. While he didn’t think there was a risk to anyone, he says he notified the school district, which posted to social media.
Mitchell continued, “There are multiple parents that are very likely upset about it, which they do have a point, that is their children, and they feel like their child should be protected when they go to a school event or something.”
Thursday, the district updated its post to say that no one was hurt.
Mitchell said, “I’m glad that the kids are OK. That made me feel better.”
Howard mirrored her sentiments, saying, “I take this matter very seriously and have already reviewed and strengthened procedures to ensure that something like this cannot happen again. My highest priority will always be the safety and well-being of the people I serve.”
State Police say the incident remains under investigation, but have not filed any charges against Howard. They say he’s been fully cooperative and was the first person to alert others about the situation.
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