School girl ‘feeds fellow students her grandfather’s ashes in cookies’

Police in the United States are investigating reports that two students at a California school baked cookies containing the cremated remains of one of the student’s grandparents.

According to US TV station KCRA, nine students at Da Vinci Charter Academy were thought to have been fed the tainted biscuits when they were brought to the school on October 4. Davis police Lt. Paul Doroshov told the network although students were thought to have eaten the sugar cookies containing the ashes, there were no reports of students falling ill.

A student who ate one of the biscuits explained that a female student he knew asked him if he wanted one of her cookies.

“She told me there’s a special ingredient in the cookie … I thought that she put drugs in it or something,” Andy Knox said. “So I asked her if like, ‘Is this a week cookie or something?’ And she said ‘no’. She said it was her grandpa’s ashes. And then she kind of laughed.”

He explained that he was “horrified” but explained that the student in question had previously discussed her grandpa’s ashes. On one occasion, he claimed that she brought the urn to school and offered to give it to him if he swapped seats with another student in class.

According to the report, police are investigating, although they have so far been unable to prove that human remains were baked into the sweet treats. Because they haven’t been able to test any of the cookies, police are basing their investigation on student statements.

Read more: ‘My heart is broken’: Daughter’s moving plea after mum’s ashes stolen

The Da Vinci Charter Academy High School released a statement earlier this week to update parents and those in the school community of the investigation.

Principal Tyler Millsap said that the school’s communication team was supporting staff and that despite media attention, the safety and well-being of students was the main priority.

“The story circulating in the media is something on which I cannot comment, but let me be clear that there is no health risk to our campus or to any one of our students,” Millsap said. “We care about our students and we care about our students’ families. We always take allegations of wrongdoing seriously and we conduct thorough investigations and involve the police or other entities when appropriate.”

He explained that whenever any wrongdoing occurs, the school applies disciplinary measures and restorative measures to restore any harm caused within the school community.

“In this case and all cases, we work with all parties involved, including our students’ families,” the statement continued. “The issue going on right now has been particularly challenging and our staff has responded appropriately and in the most respectful and dignified way possible for all the students and families involved.”

No further details have been released at this time, although the school said students involved were remorseful and that the incident is now a personal family matter. 

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