Student charged in cafeteria prank will surrender to authorities Monday

December 17, 2006
BY KATIE FOUTZ staff writer
The Wheaton North High School student accused of a cafeteria food-tampering prank will turn himself in to authorities Monday, the Wheaton Police Department said on Friday.

Marco Raphael G. Castro, 17, a resident of an unincorporated area near Wheaton, faces charges of disorderly conduct and attempted aggravated battery, according to police.

Letter mailed to parents
December 14, 2006

Dear Wheaton North Parent:

A very unusual and disgusting incident recently occurred at Wheaton North High School. Because it could potentially impact other students and most certainly will be the subject of conversation among some students, I want you to be aware of the facts surrounding this issue.

There is no tactful way to give you this information, so I will explain it as it occurred. During the 'D' lunch period on December 6, 2006, a male student removed a Ranch salad dressing container from the Student Commons, went into the boy's restroom, ejaculated into the bottle, and then returned the container to the condiment table. It is unclear if anyone subsequently used the salad dressing prior to its normal cleaning by food service personnel.

We became aware of this incident when several students reported it to the Dean's office on the afternoon of Tuesday, December 12. The identified student was questioned extensively and later admitted his action. He has been appropriately disciplined and the matter is now being handled by the Wheaton Police Department.

In addition, we immediately asked our nursing staff to contact the DuPage County Health Department to discuss any possible health impact that eating the affected salad dressing might have on the user. While the Health Department indicated it is unlikely that pathogens could survive in that environment, it recommended that the student be tested for sexually transmitted diseases. The student was tested on Wednesday, December 13. Unfortunately, the results of the testing will not be known until early next week.

Once the test results are received we will immediately notify you if the Health Department indicates a need for implementing any additional medical protocols. Only students who consumed ranch dressing in the Student Commons area last Wednesday and/or Thursday may be impacted. Meanwhile, our food service staff has changed to larger, less portable containers that will make it difficult for any similar incident to occur in the future.

I am truly sorry for any stress this may cause you or your student. Again, please know that we will contact you immediately if there is a need for any medical action for any Wheaton North student. As always, please call me at school if you have questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Jill Bullo

Principal
At lunchtime Dec. 6, Castro, a senior at Wheaton North, allegedly took a small bottle of ranch salad dressing from the commons - where juniors and seniors eat - into the restroom, ejaculated into the bottle, and returned it to the condiment cart to watch other students consume the dressing, Community Unit School District 200 officials said in a statement.

The contaminated dressing was out for at least two and up to seven lunch periods Dec. 6 and 7 before it was sanitized and refilled, according to the school district. It is unknown whether anyone used the dressing or became ill from it.

Students who learned about the prank reported it to the Wheaton North dean's office Tuesday, and after being questioned, Castro admitted to tampering with the salad dressing, the school district said. School officials then contacted Wheaton police and the DuPage County Health Department.

"He and his parents have been very cooperative," said Thomas Meloni, deputy police chief. He added that the case remains under investigation.

Castro got the idea from a stunt in the film, "Jackass: Number Two," according to a published report.

Wheaton North Principal Jill Bullo notified parents Thursday of what she called an "unusual and disgusting" incident. Some students thought it was just a rumor. Some laughed; others said they were embarrassed and disgusted. One girl vowed never to eat cafeteria food again.

There is an "extremely low" chance of getting a sexually transmitted disease or other infection by eating food contaminated with semen, the DuPage County Health Department said.

Still, Castro was tested for sexually transmitted diseases, and the results are expected within a few days, District 200 announced. Parents of students who may have eaten the contaminated salad dressing will be told immediately if the health department determines that their children should undergo follow-up medical testing, according to the school district.

Meanwhile, food service staff members have switched condiments to larger, less portable containers, Bullo said in her letter to parents.

"I am truly sorry for any stress this may cause you or your student," she wrote.

Contact Katie Foutz at kfoutz@scn1.com /a> /a> or 630-416-5216.


http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/nape ... S1.article