Arrest Made in Connection to Overdose on School Bus After Investigation

On September 16th, 2024. Rhea County Sheriff’s Department and Dayton Police Department began investigating a drug overdose, after Dayton Police and Dayton Fire Departments responded to a medical call on a Rhea County School Bus. It was determined through the investigation that the victim, who was a juvenile, consumed a THC vape cartridge while on the school bus. The juvenile who fell against the bus window appeared to have experienced respiratory distress, stiffening limbs, and seizure-like symptoms. The juvenile was placed into the floor by other students where the incident continued until the approximate time medical personnel arrived on scene. The juvenile was treated and released from Rhea Medical Center ER. As a result of the investigation two Rhea County High School juveniles were arrested and charged with:

• Conspiracy to sell, delivery of marijuana

• Sell, delivery of marijuana

• Felony reckless endangerment

• False reports

The Rhea County Sheriff’s Department is committed to the safety of our children and works tirelessly in conjunction with Rhea County Schools and other county law enforcement agencies to prevent the flow of illegal drugs through our school systems and out of the hands of our children. The Tennessee Dangerous Drugs task force responded to the Rhea County Sheriff’s Department and tested the vape and it was 99.9% THC. The task force reported that this vape had the highest content of THC tested in Tennessee. The Rhea County Sheriff’s Dept and the Tennessee Dangerous Drugs Task Force is still investigating this incident.