Second tainted candy incident ‘not credible,’ say Sonoma police

News that a Sonoma boy had found a razor blade in his 'fun-size' Butterfinger candy bar on Halloween grew into a regional story after it was published in Tuesday's Index-Tribune. It was picked up first by the Press Democrat, and later the Sacramento Bee and SFGate, the online presence of the San Francisco Chronicle, among others.

Channel 5 KPIX-TV even ran a news story that included an interview with Frank Gravatt, who posted the incident on his Facebook page, and Sonoma Police Sgt. Spencer Crum.

The same day, Nov. 3, the principal of St. Francis Solano School sent an email message to parents saying a sixth-grader had found a sewing needle in another 'fun size' candy bar, this time a Snickers. Coming on the heels of the earlier story, it thrust Sonoma trick-or-treaters into a rare, if unwanted, celebrity.

But on Wednesday, Principal Debbie Picard informed parents that the incident had been deemed 'not credible' by the officer who spoke with the boy, suggesting it was a prank.

The parents and child in the first incident have also been interviewed, according to Sonoma Police Chief Bret Sackett. 'At this point in time, we have nothing to deny the allegations, but we don't have any additional information to confirm it either,' said Sackett. 'As such, the case has been suspended pending additional investigative leads.'

Sackett elaborated that, to the best of his recollection, this is the first time the department has received such a call, let alone two. 'However, almost every year we hear rumors about tainted candy found in Sonoma,' he said.

Frank Gravatt, who posted the original story on Facebook, reiterated his concern upon his 12-year-old son finding the blade in the Butterfinger. 'I posted it on Facebook because I felt it was the quickest way to get the information out,' he told the Index-Tribune. 'I'd post it again if it happened again. Wouldn't you?'

The mother of the 12-year-old boy who found the blade in the Butterfinger told the Index-Tribune that it was his first time spending Halloween away from home. The boy, who goes to Adele Harrison Middle School, was planning to stay home next Halloween, according to his mother.

No arrests have been made, and police say there are no suspects.