There is nothing more American than capitalizing on people's panic for a quick profit.
And royally messing it up.
Manisha Bharade, a 47-year-old woman from Wood-Ridge, New Jersey is facing charges for doing just that. It was discovered she was concocting a way to capitalize on the demand for hand sanitizer by creating her own at home and selling it on shelves of her 7-Eleven.
In order to sell more product, Bharade reportedly mixed "commercially available foaming sanitizer, which was not meant for resale," with water, which caused a chemical reaction and burned three 10-year-olds and an 11-year-old.
"She wasn't trying to make a lot of money and obviously didn't mean to hurt anybody," a law enforcement official told the Daily Voice. "But she's no chemist."
Bharade is being charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of deceptive business practices.
"Let me be perfectly clear: if you try to take advantage of our residents during a public health emergency, we will hold you accountable," said Attorney General Gurbir Grewal.
"Retailers who try to make a quick buck by exploiting others will face civil and criminal consequences."
Five of the fourteen bottles for sale by the 7-Eleven in question have been turned over to the police for analysis.
The Daily Voice also reported that the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs "sent a letter to the store's owners demanding that they preserve all records relating to the preparation and sale of the 'spray sanitizer' seized by law enforcement."
Those who may have purchased hand sanitizer from the River Vale, New Jersey 7-Eleven should contact the River Vale Police Department at (201) 664-1111.
In the meanwhile, stay safe as the virus continues to spread.
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