Teacher accused of giving Denver middle school students cannabis brownies
DENVER (KDVR) — The parents of two 12-year-old Colorado students are suing a language arts teacher, accusing her of baking and distributing cannabis-laced brownies to the two children.
Sharon Wilson, a sixth grade language arts teacher at Denver's Kepner Beacon Middle School, is accused in a civil lawsuit of placing "her students in direct danger after she personally baked and distributed home-made brownies laced with tetrahydrocannabinol," or THC, the psychoactive ingredient of cannabis.
The lawsuit alleges that Wilson held a writing contest for her sixth grade class and, instead of providing a "typical prize," she gave them the laced brownies on June 4, 2024. The lawsuit says that the teacher admitted to "making the brownies for" the two minors.
Parents initially believe allergic reaction, seek medical care
The lawsuit alleges the two children ate the brownies and soon thereafter, "began to feel sick and strange with symptoms including: difficulty walking, difficulty focusing, and overall feeling like something was happening to their bodies that they did not understand."
Both students required help making it out to their parents' vehicles at the end of the day, the complaint alleges. The lawsuit states that one of the children's mothers first thought her child had eaten peanuts, resulting in an allergic reaction, and texted Wilson to get more information.
"(Wilson) responded via text message, admitting she did make the brownies because (the students) won (Wilson's) contest," the lawsuit states.
A screenshot of the text message exchange is included in the lawsuit, showing that the mother said her child was exhibiting "red eyes" and dizziness, and asking what ingredients were in the brownies.
"They are from scratch," Wilson responded, in part. "Maybe it is the unsweetened chocolate? I also use sugar, flour, Mexican vanilla, salt, baking soda, eggs."
"Another student had one too, they made the most words with Greek and Latin roots, so they won the prize," Wilson continued in her text with the parent. "The other student hasn't reported any allergy symptoms. I'm so sorry, it sounds like an allergic reaction."
Both students were independently taken to urgent care that day, according to the lawsuit. Blood tests reportedly showed that each child had THC levels in their system.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigations reportedly tested the brownies and found they contained cannabis.
In a statement to Nexstar's KDVR on Thursday, Denver Public Schools said: "Middle school teacher Sharon Wilson was placed on paid administrative leave at the end of the 2023-24 school year. This is standard procedure for Denver Public Schools until a matter is resolved. Wilson separated from DPS in August 2024, before the start of the 2024-25 school year."
Wilson is also facing a criminal case in the matter out of Denver County Court, the parents alleged in their lawsuit, saying she faces a charge of misdemeanor child abuse.
The parents are seeking a jury trial to determine compensation for pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, and other damages.