By Randy Picking ~ Salina Post

SALINA – Three middle school students in Salina wound up going to the hospital Thursday morning, after taking an excessive amount of cold medication pills that they may have stolen from a grocery store.

The Lakewood Middle School students, two eighth graders and a 7th grader all boys apparently took the cold medication before school, becoming ill later and visiting the school nurse shortly after 8am.

She contact the School Resource Officer, and an ambulance was sent. All three were taken to Salina Regional Health Center for treatment.

Salina Police Lt. Sean Morton says as of late Thursday afternoon, one student had been released from the hospital, one was still under medical observation, and a third was taken to a medical facility in Topeka.

Morton says officers are investigating whether the boys may have shoplifted the cold medication from the Dillon’s Store at 511 E. Iron. The teens could face theft charges once the investigation is completed.

Morton says the boys did not take the pills for any medical conditon.