Avi Mandel
A 30-year-old high school teacher from New Jersey has been arrested after a 4-year-old child in his custody allegedly consumed pot -- enough that the child had to be taken to a hospital, unable to stand.
The child was taken to a hospital on Tuesday, officials said Friday. Medical tests indicated that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, was present in the child’s body. Teaneck police determined the child had been in the custody of Avi Mandel, also of Teaneck, at the time the substance was consumed.
Mandel was arrested later that day on charges of endangering the welfare of a child. He was also charged with two disorderly persons offenses: marijuana possession and possession of narcotic paraphernalia. His relationship to the child wasn't immediately clear.
He was released from custody pending a first court appearance in Hackensack. No update on the child's condition was immediately available Friday.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to clarify that while Avi Mandel is charged in relation to a child’s alleged marijuana consumption, he is not accused of giving the marijuana to the child, as was previously reported. A correction has also been made to accurately describe the charges.
