Kindergarteners at a local Michigan school were surprised when they consumed spirits instead of regular refreshments during snack time.
Fox 2 Detroit reported that the children accidentally drank tequila after a classmate brought Jose Cuervo’s ready-made pink lemonade margaritas to Grand River Academy in Livonia. The little girl allegedly took the drinks from her knapsack and served the alcoholic beverage in lieu of juice last week. The kindergartener reportedly knew that the beverages were not kid-friendly–though her classmates weren’t aware.
Several of the girl’s classmates drank the alcoholic beverage, and one of the students complained to the teacher. The kindergartener told the educator she consumed four to five sips of the margarita and said that she “felt woozy” and a “little dizzy.”
Grand River Academy school officials notified parents as soon as they became aware of what happened in the kindergarten class.
“The girl poured it in her cup, and she drank it, and the girl ended up telling her what it is, and she went and told the teacher there is liquor in this cup, and the teacher gave her a funny face,” the mom of a kindergartner, Dominique Zanders, told Fox 2 Detroit.
“I’m not sure if they are short-staffed or whatever. It shouldn’t have happened,” Zanders added.
Another mother of one of the children in the kindergarten class, Alexis Smith, told the news outlet, “If your child knows what it is, nothing wrong with it. But they should know not to touch it. That it’s not for kids. I had a small conversation with my daughter — nothing big —and she told me the girl knew it was liquor.”
Grand River Academy employees notified poison control regarding students drinking the margaritas after becoming aware of the situation.
“While we try to keep an eye on everything our students bring to school, that’s simply not possible,” the school said. “It’s unfortunate that these types of adult beverages can be easily mistaken for child-friendly drinks.”
The average weight of a kindergartener is roughly 45 pounds. Jose Cuervo Pink Lemonade single-serve bottles are 200 ml each and are tequila-based. Each drink is 20 proof– meaning it consists of 10% alcohol. The child’s blood alcohol level would be 0.062% with one serving. In Michigan, the legal limit to be considered drunk is 0.08%.