Crime & Safety
Waukegan, IL: 9-Year-Old Finds Needles, Pins in Halloween Candy
Waukegan, IL – A Halloween candy investigation is underway in Lake County after a mother reported discovering sewing needles, pins, copper wire and other foreign objects inside chocolate candy collect
By Lauren Beckett · 2026-11-04T14:35:16.342Z
Waukegan, IL – A Halloween candy investigation is underway in Lake County after a mother reported discovering sewing needles, pins, copper wire and other foreign objects inside chocolate candy collected by her 9 year old daughter while trick or treating Saturday night.
According to the Waukegan Police Department , officers responded to a residence in the 3000 block of Grandville after receiving a report of possible candy tampering around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 31.
The mother told investigators her daughter had previously watched a video suggesting that a magnet could help detect metal objects hidden inside Halloween candy.
Following that advice, the child placed a magnet inside her candy bag while trick or treating.
After returning home, the girl noticed the magnet sticking to several pieces of chocolate candy.
Her mother opened and examined the candy, reportedly discovering sewing needles, bobby pins, copper wire, plastic and a gold nail inside several pieces.
The discovery prompted the family to contact police.
Investigators learned that the family had visited homes near Flossmoor Avenue, Leith Avenue and Ridgeland Avenue. They also trick or treated near Waukegan High School on Brookside Avenue, including Leith Avenue, Lynn Terrace and Flossmoor Avenue.
However, authorities have not determined where the suspicious candy originated.
Officers collected the candy and foreign objects as evidence.
The Waukegan Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division is handling the case, which remained open as of the department's Tuesday, November 3, announcement.
Police reported that investigators had not identified any suspect leads and had received no other reports of similar incidents in Waukegan.
The department has not announced any arrests or identified anyone responsible for the suspected tampering.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine how the objects ended up inside the candy.