15-year-old dead after overdose on high school campus in Hollywood; other overdoses investigated

HOLLYWOOD (KABC) -- A 15-year-old girl is dead after she was believed to have overdosed at a high school in Hollywood, and police are also investigating several other overdoses in the area.

The overdose situation involves four juveniles who ingested what they thought was Percocet pills, but police believe they were laced with fentanyl.

Around 8 p.m. Tuesday night, a father reported his stepdaughter missing, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. He went to Bernstein High School and found her in the courtyard suffering from a possible overdose.

That girl was taken to the hospital in stable condition. Before she was transported, she told her stepfather about another girl in the school bathroom. The man called 911, but when officers arrived they found the other girl unresponsive in the bathroom. She later died.

Investigators believe the victims purchased the pills at Lexington Park, which is less than a mile away from campus. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported two other overdoses at the park earlier in the day.

One of those juveniles was only identified as a 17-year-old. The condition or exact age of the fourth victim was not clear.

The LAPD said overdoses are on the rise and they'll be working to find the narcotics dealer who sold the pills. There will be an increased police presence at the park on Wednesday.

"I think we all share responsibility to all of our children. So we all need to talk to our children, the schools need to talk to our children. We need to work together to make everyone aware how dangerous this poison is," said Lt. John Radtke.

In a statement, the Los Angeles Unified School District confirmed that the deceased teen was a student at the school. The district said school would be open Wednesday and grief counselors will be on site for all students and employees.

"As we work together with LAPD to uncover the details of this tragic situation, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of both students," the statement read.

Officials say it common for drug dealers to lace pills with fentanyl.

"This is a scourge and an epidemic that is well-known across the country. It is unacceptable," said LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. "It is even more unacceptable when it impacts the youth of our community. There is no excuse for that nor is there tolerance for that."

DEVELOPING: We will add more details to this report as they become available.