An Arlington Heights school nurse has been place on leave while authorities investigate whether students’ prescription medications were switched.
AP file
A nurse at an Arlington Heights elementary school has been placed on administrative leave amid allegations of switching out prescription medication intended for students.
An Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 administrator was made aware of concerns and documentation regarding the licensed registered nurse at Westgate Elementary on Monday night, Supt. Lori Bein wrote in a letter to parents this week.
Bein said the district immediately reported the matter to the Arlington Heights Police Department and Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Families of students who signed forms allowing for the dispensing of medications at school were asked to come to the school to verify the contents and quantity of medication at the nurse’s office, Bein said.
The family of one student who may have been given the wrong medication has retained the prominent Chicago law firm Romanucci & Blandin. In a statement Thursday night, attorneys said the child has suffered health problems after blood tests showed signs of excessive aspirin intake and fentanyl.
“This situation is abhorrent, and we feel thoroughly betrayed by the violation of trust we placed in Westgate Elementary School and its staff, who were given the privilege of caring for our child,” the family said in a statement through their attorneys. “We are highly concerned for the health of our child and will not rest until we understand exactly what happened and see that the appropriate people are held accountable.”
Attorneys said the family’s name and their child’s identity, health history and exact medications are being withheld to protect the child’s privacy.
Read more at dailyherald.com.