A woman arrested Thursday might have tampered with infant formula at stores mostly on the city's east side, Tucson police warned during a rare late-night news conference.
It is important for parents to check infant formula they’ve purchased recently, police say. If there is anything suspicious about the seal or the formula it should be taken to the department for analysis, Chief Chris Magnus said.
The possible tampering came to light with the arrest of 30-year-old Jennifer Laplante on suspicion of fraudulent schemes and artifices and child endangerment, both felonies. Possibly other charges are pending, Magnus said.
Details of the case were sketchy, but police say she — and maybe others — bought or stole infant formula then returned the tampered product to the stores for refunds. The scheme, which Magnus says appears to be motivated by money, might have been going on for as long as two months.
Flour has been used to replace the formula, but Magnus said other substances might have been used as well.
Police rushed to make the possible tampering public because one infant was “sickened” by ingesting the tampered formula recently. That infant was treated at a hospital last Friday, and has been released. The child is in good condition, said Magnus.
When the infant was ill, the baby's symptoms included lethargy, authorities said.
Magnus said that several stores, mostly on Tucson’s east side, have been linked to the possible tampering.
They include:
• Fry’s, 7050 E. 22nd St.
• Fry’s, 9401 E. 22nd St.
• Walmart, 8640 E. Broadway
• Walmart, 7150 E. Speedway
Magnus said Gerber Good Start soy is involved with the tampering, but he could not rule out other products. The Gerber product had been removed from the shelves. Still, he said it is important to check the seal and the powdered formula, including smell, before feeding it to an infant.
Police are coordinating the investigation with local and federal health agencies.
Suspicious formula can be taken to the department's evidence facility at 945 E. Ohio St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The department's Facebook page will have further updates on hours for drop offs.
Anyone with questions about the formula tampering can call Tucson police communications at 791-5059.
