Teacher knocked out special needs students with melatonin at the start of each day, leading to ‘severe’ nosebleeds and loss of ‘motor functioning,’ lawsuit says – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Maryland – A lawsuit filed by the mother of a 12-year-old nonverbal student with autism accuses a teacher at Maiden Choice School of secretly giving melatonin to her entire class of special needs students each morning. The complaint describes how the children were routinely found asleep during the school day and details serious health consequences that followed. Baltimore County Public Schools has confirmed the teacher is no longer employed by the district, though no criminal charges have been filed.
The Core Allegations
The legal complaint states that the teacher provided melatonin orally to the students at the start of each school day for at least two months. Melatonin, a hormone used to regulate sleep, was administered without the knowledge or consent of parents, according to the filing. The suit claims the entire class was discovered sleeping midday on a consistent basis.
School administrators, including the principal and assistant principal, are accused of allowing the practice to continue by failing to report it. A whistleblower eventually came forward with a complaint that prompted the teacher’s placement on administrative leave. The principal remains listed as the head of the school on its website.
Health Effects Described in the Complaint
The mother’s filing details significant physical and behavioral setbacks for her son. He allegedly suffered severe nosebleeds, blood in his mouth, frequent blood clotting that required medical attention, and a loss of motor functioning. The complaint also notes uncontrolled emotions, including anger and confusion, along with the development of insomnia that left him unable to regulate his own sleep schedule…