AUBURN – No charges will be filed against the L/A Arts executive director who gave a mintlike weight-loss supplement to young campers.
Auburn police investigated the incident and conferred with the District Attorney’s Office. They said no crime was committed.
The incident occurred earlier this month at the L/A Arts Summer Youth Theatre program for campers between 9 and 16 years old. An older girl shared Slim Mints, a weight-loss supplement, with other campers during a break. The parents of one 9-year-old girl found out about it and complained to the camp.
After their complaint, L/A Arts Executive Director Andrew Harris said he went to the Slim Mints official Web site but didn’t see any warning. He bought a tin of mints at Wal-Mart and asked the pharmacist about them.
According to Harris, the pharmacist said the mints were little more than candy and were OK to eat.
Harris took the new tin with him to the camp. Because some of the children were worried that they’d eaten something dangerous, he told them the mints were all right and he offered them to anyone who wanted more.
The parents of the 9-year-old old girl pulled their daughter from camp when they found out. They asked the Auburn police to look into the incident.
Police said Thursday that Harris would not be charged with endangering the welfare of a child or any other crime.
Slim Mints come in a tin like other popular breath mints, but are sold as “diet mints.” They contain green tea and two supplements popular for weight loss and appetite suppression.
The back of the tin carries a small-print warning: “Not intended for use by persons under 18 years of age.” Then, in all capital letters: “Keep out of reach of children.”
Harris said he didn’t see the age warning.
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