Teen investigated after capsicum spray sends family of seven to hospital

A 16-year-old girl is under police investigation for setting off suspected capsicum spray inside a Townsville home, hospitalising a family of seven. Photo / AAP file

By Shae McDonald

A 16-year-old girl is under police investigation for setting off suspected capsicum spray inside a Townsville home, hospitalising a family of seven.

The teen sprayed the toxic substance following a verbal altercation with a child at the Heatley home. Police say two adults and five children, aged between 8 and 12, were taken to Townsville Hospital for treatment for eye irritation but have since been released.

It is believed the 16-year-old lives nearby and was a friend of the residents.

The Townsville Bulletin reported the girl assaulted a 10-year-old boy at the home before leaving and then returning with the noxious spray.

Officer in charge of the Townsville Child Protection Investigation Unit, Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Miles, told the newspaper she then sprayed the entire family.

"The female teen has exposed a number of persons at the address to a noxious substance," he said. "At this stage it appears there has been a dispute of some sort that has got out of hand and escalated significantly."

Capsicum spray is classified as a weapon in Queensland but can be bought online. Police are investigating how the girl obtained it and what sparked the incident.

- AAP