KEY POINTS:
A 12 year-old-boy suffered violent convulsions after he ate a piece of cake he was given by a stranger.
Police in Auckland are now hunting the man and are warning children about the dangers of taking anything from a stranger.
Police say the boy was walking along Universal Drive in Henderson, Auckland around 5pm last night when a man walked up to him and offered him a piece of cake.
Detective Sergeant Megan Goldie, of Waitakere Police, said: "The boy accepted and within minutes he became violently ill.
"The victim experienced disorientation, plus other symptoms that included vomiting, twitching, buzzing and extreme dizziness, before he finally fell asleep.
"The boy was treated in hospital."
Police are awaiting test results to find out what was in the cake. They are refusing to speculate until the results are back.
Detective Sergeant Goldie said: "Clearly this offender had no concern whatsoever for the welfare or well being of this young boy. We urge all parents to be always vigilant on the daily activities of their children.
"The public's assistance is needed to find this offender and find him fast before another young person in our community is similarly affected.
"This person's actions are of concern."
Police say the man is aged around 40, brown-skinned, with long black dreadlocks that come down almost to the waist, average build, and tall - about 183 cm in height.
Information call Waitakere CIB on 09 839 0600.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
