An elementary school nurse in Arlington Heights has been suspended, and thrown into the thick of an intense probe after allegations emerged of her swapping students' prescribed meds. The nurse, stationed at Westgate Elementary, came under scrutiny Monday when an administrator from District 25 received worrying reports of her conduct with children's medication, confirmed a letter to parents from Supt. Lori Bein. The letter, procured by the Chicago Sun-Times, stated the district did not hesitate to alert the Arlington Heights Police Department and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services post haste.
Precipitated by this unsettling discovery, it wasn't long before the police and child welfare were looped in, leading to the nurse's administrative leave. In a subsequent move, Bein's letter, which the Chicago Sun-Times laid hands on, asked families who let the school give out meds to their kids to double-check the nurse's stash for any discrepancies.
The gravity of the situation scaled up when one family retained Chicago legal powerhouse Romanucci & Blandin after their child began showing health complications. Tests indicated the youngster had elevated aspirin levels and fentanyl in their system. The attorneys, in a statement made Thursday night which the Chicago Sun-Times reported, captured the family's distress: "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," adding that they would pursue answers relentlessly.
Amidst the furor, Romanucci & Blandin has fired up its investigation and impelled parents of medicated students at the school to consult a doctor without delay. Urging for blood tests specifically for fentanyl exposure and comprehensive medical screenings, the FOX 32 Chicago report echoes the firm's concerns about the potential far-reaching implications of such medication mismanagement. Information funneling into the ongoing investigation is being shepherded by Arlington Heights Police Commander Peter Milutinovic, who the concerned can reach at (847) 368-5420.
