Police release photo of marijuana substance found in Rock Hill classroom

Rock Hill police say they are unsure how a spoon covered in a marijuana paste got into a child development classroom, and that the case will be closed until new information becomes available.

The plastic spoon covered in what police said was some type of “marijuana hash oil paste” was found Tuesday afternoon in a 4-year-old program classroom at Central Child Development Center on East Black Street.

The substance tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, and was submitted to evidence, police said. Capt. Mark Bollinger said Thursday that it’s still unclear how the spoon and substance got into the classroom.

Rock Hill schools spokesman Mychal Frost said Thursday that the school has been working to notify parents of the incident. Students in the school’s afternoon program took letters home to their parents Wednesday, and morning program students were taking letters home Thursday, he said.

A teacher found the spoon and took it to the office, school director Sarah Hayes said in the letter to parents, a copy of which was provided to news outlets. None of the students knew where the item came from. A school safety official and officer responded and took the unknown substance.

“We will continue to work with the authorities to maintain the safety and security of our students,” Hayes said.

Frost said school officials were waiting for confirmation from law enforcement that the substance was drug-related before notifying parents, which was further delayed by the half-day schedule of the programs.

This story was originally published March 10, 2016 at 12:41 PM with the headline "Police release photo of marijuana substance found in Rock Hill classroom."