Arlington Heights elementary school nurse on leave amid probe into ‘misuse’ of students’ meds
Nine children – so far – are at the center of an investigation into an Arlington Heights school nurse’s alleged “misuse” of prescription medications that were supposed to be administered to students.
The probe comes after a student at Westgate Elementary School in the northwest suburb was found to have fentanyl in their system, according to authorities.
“On Monday evening, April 22, an Arlington Heights School District 25 administrator was made aware of concerns and documentation regarding a licensed registered nurse at Westgate and the potential misuse of prescription medication intended for specific student use,” SD25 officials stated in a news release. “We immediately reported this matter to the Arlington Heights Police Department and then to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.”
Fentanyl is described by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as a “potent” synthetic opioid used for pain management. An overdose can lead to death.
Arlington Heights police Sergeant Mike Orlando told Pioneer Press the investigation is ongoing, with few details publicly available at this time.
“District 25 is cooperating fully with law enforcement in their investigation of this matter and will not hesitate to take appropriate disciplinary and/or legal action if warranted,” according to the SD25 release.
The nurse has been put on administrative leave, Arlington Heights School District 25 officials explained in the release. Authorities confirmed the children are, as of today, doing OK.
No criminal charges have been filed and Orlando said the investigation is in the early days of what he explained could be a lengthy one.
The nurse is not named because she is not charged with a crime, and children are not identified to protect their privacy.
Orlando confirmed that only one school nurse is the focus of the probe. He said the police department is aware of nine students impacted, to date.
Westgate is one of nine schools in District 25, with nearly 600 students in grades K to 5. According to the school district website, SD25 has a nurse at each of its school buildings.
Romanucci and Blandin, a Chicago-based personal injury law firm, has been retained by at least two school district families, officials there told Pioneer Press.
“We have evidence that the school did not properly dispense children’s prescription medication, and, in fact, children were given substitute medications,” according to a statement from the law firm.
The firm has been retained by the family of the child who is said to have tested positive for fentanyl. A civil investigation has been launched, according to the law firm, and family is identified as Family Doe 1.
“The parents believe their child was not given the proper medication and has suffered health problems because of it. The child’s medical team has confirmed that the child’s blood work shows suggestive signs of excessive aspirin intake and also shows positive for fentanyl,” according to the law firm’s statement.
For children who take prescription medications, families can complete forms to authorize the school nurse to administer it during the school day. School officials said the district reached out to the families of Westgate students who had given such permission.
“These parents or guardians were asked to come to Westgate to verify both the contents and the quantity of medication maintained onsite at the health office and were provided with contact information for the detective leading the investigation to report any concerns or inconsistencies,” according to the district statement.
In addition to the local police, the school district is also working with the Cook County Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education to review rules and procedures “to ensure the oversight and integrity of medication,” officials explained in the statement.
“Like you, we are deeply disappointed to learn of this potential breach of trust. The safety and well-being of our students, staff and school community is a top priority,” district leaders told families in the release.