Tampered candy

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

A Siksika Nation family is in shock and disbelief after their Halloween candy left them with a treat they hadn’t bargained for.
Clifford Calfchild took his eight children and one grandson trick-or-treating at 6 p.m. on Oct. 31 in a six-block radius within a neighbourhood south of the Strathmore hospital – the name of the neighbourhood was unbeknown to the family.
The family had trick-or-treated in the area for many years before and always without incident.
On Saturday, however, Calfchild’s daughter Nicki opened a small plastic bag with various candies inside, pulled out a chocolate bar and, upon taking a bite, discovered a two-inch needle stuck inside the chocolate. Two of his other children also found needles hidden in their Aero and Snickers bars.
“We’re still checking because we got quite a bit of candy,” said Calfchild. “We’ve been going there for years and nothing has ever happened like that. We (want) to raise awareness for the people in Strathmore, to send out a message for them for next year.”
He added that the wrappers appeared to have been opened and resealed using glue.
Calfchild reported the tampered candy to the RCMP, who were also approached by another family about a one-inch needle found in a Rice Krispies treat that also appeared to have been opened and resealed.
According to a police report, inquiries in the area where it was believed the candy was handed out revealed none of the homes were handing out Rice Krispies treats on Halloween, and it’s currently unknown where the candy was received.
The report also states the incidents do not appear to be related to similar reports of tampered Halloween candy in Devon and Thorsby, Alta.
Strathmore RCMP said they are currently investigation two separate incidents. Evidence and statements have been gathered and neighbourhood inquiries have been conducted. As of now the local RCMP said they are unable to confirm which part of the town the alleged suspicious candy was handed out.
“When incidents like these are reported to the police, they are always taken seriously and investigated, but often we are left with little to no avenues of investigation to follow up on,” said Cst. Denzil Morey with the Strathmore RCMP detachment. “When you think of all the treats given out in Strathmore on Halloween night – thankfully – reports like these are the exception. However, it still serves as a safety reminder for parents to always inspect Halloween treats before allowing their children to eat them.”
Anyone with information about the incident or with information to report is asked to call the Strathmore RCMP detachment at 403-934-3535.