Lewiston, Maine Man Found to Have Lied About Finding Metal in Halloween Candy

Halloween Horror

Halloween is meant to be a fun experience for kids. You get to dress up and go door to door asking for free candy. Does it get any better than that? Especially still in the middle of a pandemic. It's one thing that can feel "normal" despite it all.

For many parents, this annual event feels safe. And hey, after bedtime Mom and Dad get a cut of the candy too.

It's heartbreaking to consider that a neighbor might be evil enough to tamper with candy destined for the tummies of little ones and this year, many feared that happened in Lewiston.

"Metal Shards and Staples"

According to the Sun Journal, a 27-year-old man in Lewiston by the name of Alexander Hanks made a police report and posted to Facebook the stuff of nightmares.

In the now-removed post, Hanks posted a photo of a Twix with what appears to be a staple stuck into the top with a caption about finding candy with "metal shards and staples" in his child's Halloween candy. (The photo can be viewed on the Sun Journal here.)

Hanks even went so far as to specify the area in which the tampered candy was received noting having been in the Farwell School and Sabattus Street area.

Tricks and Treats

Lewiston Police determined that this was a false report according to the Sun Journal. Hanks admitted that he lied was issued a summons on a charge of making a false public claim or report. Hanks could spend up to 364 days in jail.

Crying Warewolf

One thing's for sure, lying about something so scary during something so innocent is abhorrent. Tricks are fun, but not at the expense of a child's safety or perceived safety.