FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Pepper spray that was released inside Freehold Township High School by a 14-year-old male student on the morning of Nov. 5 sent one school cafeteria employee to CentraState Medical Center for evaluation.
Authorities said 17 additional employees were evaluated on-site in the aftermath of the incident. Treatment, if necessary, was provided by medical personnel on-site. No students were affected, according to Freehold Regional High School District administrators.
Freehold Township police Lt. Dean Smith said the boy who released the pepper spray in a hallway near the cafeteria is a resident of Freehold Township.
A second 14-year-old male student is believed to have brought the pepper spray into the school. That youth is also a resident of Freehold Township.
Smith said both boys were arrested and brought to police headquarters. Both students were subsequently released in the custody of their parents. He said charges are pending against the teenagers.
Smith said the school resumed its regular schedule after the affected area was ventilated and cleaned.
Responding to the 8:20 a.m. incident, in addition to Freehold Township police, were representatives from the Freehold Area Health Department, Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management, Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad, MONOC paramedics and Freehold Regional School High School District administrators.
Contact Clare Marie Celano at [email protected].