Summarized by Kent Larsen

Teenager That Drugged Missionaries Ruled Delinquent

BOWLING GREEN, OHIO -- The teen accused of drugging 17 LDS missionaries and members was found delinquent Thursday of a reduced charge of inducing panic, the equivalent of a first degree misdemeanor. Joseph Cordell, 15, was originally charged with delinquency of corrupting another with drugs, a felony-level charge, but prosecutors added the panix charge at a pre-trial hearing, and he was only ruled delinquent of the lesser charge.

Cordell put tablets of Ambien, a sedative used to treat sleep disorders, in cupcakes his stepmother baked for a missionary luncheon. He was allegedly angry with his Sister and had hoped she would be blamed for the prank.

However, 17 people, most of them full-time LDS missionaries, became ill after eating the cupcakes, and complained of nausea and light-headedness. All 17 were treated at an area hospital, but no one was admitted.

In juvenile court, Wood County, Ohio prosecutor Alan Mayberry called Cordell's prank "a potentially dangerous situation."

Cordell will be sentenced at a later date to up to 90 days in a juvenile detention center.

Source:

Boy who put drugs on cakes ruled delinquent
Toledo OH Blade 18Aug00 D2

See also:
Youth Drugs 17 at LDS Church Function In Ohio