HAVERFORD, Pa. (AP) – Seven suburban Philadelphia children had a brush with the law for selling without a permit – selling lemonade, that is.

But police say it was all a misunderstanding.

A neighbor called Haverford Township police July 10 about the sales. He says the youngsters were going door-to-door and he didn’t think they were being properly supervised.

A responding officer told the kids they were violating an ordinance that bans sales without a permit.

But Deputy Chief John Viola says the officer didn’t know the law doesn’t apply to anyone under 16 years old.

Sgt. Joe Hagan says he has been buying lemonade from neighborhood kids for a dozen years and it never occurred to him he might be aiding and abetting lawbreakers. He met with the kids and told them they were doing nothing wrong.