A California man accused of handing out psychedelic mushroom gummies to trick-or-treaters is receiving an unusual defense from his daughter, who says hostile neighbors may have singled him out because they view his home as a “witch house.”
Devilyn Foster maintains that her father, Shawn Michael Foster, 45, is being unfairly blamed by residents who disapprove of the property’s eerie appearance.
“There are people in the neighborhood who don’t like the way the house looks and think it’s the ‘witch house’ or that something bad is happening there,” she told NBC 7. “So I’m willing to bet that specific people have it out for them.”
Her comments come as San Diego police investigate reports that at least 15 children, including toddlers and youngsters as old as 6, picked up packages of psychedelic mushroom gummies outside the family’s Ocean Beach home on Halloween.
Frank Cary, one of the parents at the scene, said his 2-year-old son grabbed a package before he realized what it contained.
“My 2-year-old went up, grabbed one and started walking away with it,” Cary told the television station. “I noticed the package had a giraffe on it and words that looked like they were melting. I took it from his hand and saw a dosage listed on the front: five grams. Then I turned it over and read, ‘psilocybin mushrooms.’”
Parents handed the packages over to police, who later confirmed that they contained psilocybin, the psychoactive substance found in magic mushrooms.
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Authorities allegedly found more than candy at the property.
A search of the home in the 2100 block of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard allegedly uncovered more than 2.5 pounds of cannabis, 25 grams of crystal methamphetamine, records tied to drug sales and packaging materials.
Investigators also reportedly discovered an illegally possessed rifle, ammunition and a partially assembled handgun.
Foster pleaded not guilty Friday to transporting controlled substances to a minor and two firearms-related charges.
He was arrested Wednesday with Michael Goff, 80, who faces a felony charge for firearm possession and has not yet been arraigned.
A judge released Foster on supervised bail, ordering him to avoid contact with minors, remain in San Diego County and stay away from drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Foster is scheduled to return to court Nov. 17.