Students exposed to pepper spray at San Tan Valley Middle School

SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ - Eighteen students from a Valley middle school are recovering Friday after being exposed to pepper spray a fellow student brought to campus.

Pinal County Sheriff's Office spokesman Elias Johnson said that a 15-year-old female student had brought a small, key-chain sized bottle of pepper spray to school which she took from her 18-year-old sister.

While a friend looked for lip gloss in the girl's bag, the teen grabbed the bottle and the bottle accidentally discharged into the bag while in a classroom of 38 students. 

Minutes later, 18 students complained of symptoms related to being exposed to pepper spray.

The 13-year-old friend, who was exposed, was transported to Banner Ironwood hospital at the request of her parents.

Johnson said that no other children required treatment.

Criminal charges will not be filed against the teen because there was no intent to discharge the pepper spray, Johnson told ABC15.

Dr. Barbara Remondini, Asst. Superintendent for JO Combs School District, said "We take these matters very seriously. Safety of students is an utmost priority. Staff will continue to look into what happened and administer appropriate discipline to those involved."

According to Remondini, district policy prohibits anyone from engaging in behavior that could disrupt the school environment.

Parents of students who were in the classroom at the time of the incident have been notified and all parents will be sent an alert from the district.