PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) — After a former long-term substitute teacher drove to Pleasants Lane Elementary School in Petersburg and gave fifth-grade students pre-packaged candy during recess without permission, 13 students have experienced illness, “including stomach ache and vomiting.”

A spokesperson for Petersburg Public Schools said the incident occurred during the afternoon on Monday, Feb. 5.

According to a message sent to parents by Camille Williams, the school’s principal, the former substitute “distributed prepackaged Valentine’s Day chocolate candy to students before leaving the property.”

“Shortly after consuming the candy, more than a dozen students experienced illness, including stomach ache and vomiting. All affected students were promptly seen by the school nurse and their parents were contacted,” the message further said.

Law enforcement was alerted “as a precautionary measure,” according to the message.

8News reached out to the Petersburg Bureau of Police regarding the incident.

In response, police said the incident was “not criminal in nature.”

The spokesperson for Petersburg Public Schools said the division “has immediately launched an investigation to determine how this individual gained access to our students and distributed the candy.”

“We are also cooperating fully with law enforcement officials as they conduct their own investigations,” the spokesperson said.