Authorities in Yellowstone County are investigating after a mother reported that a 6-year-old student brought a vape device onto a school bus in Shepherd, used it and shared it with other children, reported KTVQ News.
The mother, who requested anonymity to protect her daughter’s identity, said via the news report that her child admitted to trying the vape after another student brought it on board.
“She told me, ‘Mom, I have to be honest with you. Another kid on the bus had a vape,’” the mother said. “And I was like, ‘And you tried it?’ and she was like, ‘Yeah, I did.’”
The mother told local news reporters that she immediately contacted school officials after learning of the incident, which she said had occurred days earlier without the school’s knowledge. “The next morning, I went to the school and let them know,” she said. “They didn’t know anything, and this was now day three.”
According to the news report, the Shepherd School District notified the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Mike Linder said a guardian of the child who brought the vape was initially cited for child endangerment, but that the citation has since been rescinded. The county attorney’s office is reviewing the case.
District officials reportedly declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
The incident has raised concerns among parents about young children vaping. Caroline Joyce, executive director of Parents Against Vaping, said such cases, while rare, reflect a growing trend.
“Vaping is starting to reach more elementary school-aged children,” Joyce said via the article. “These products are widely available and appealing.”
Joyce said vaping poses serious health risks and criticized marketing practices, which target youth. “Six is incredibly alarming,” she said of the child’s age. “It’s an indication of systemic failures.”
She added that addressing the issue will require more than punishment, calling for broader education and prevention efforts.
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