Baltimore County, Maryland — A Maryland school district is facing serious allegations after a lawsuit claimed a teacher secretly provided melatonin to special needs students every morning, causing significant health and behavioral problems for at least one child.
The lawsuit alleges that the medication was administered without parental knowledge or consent and that school officials failed to intervene despite repeated warning signs.
Lawsuit Alleges Students Were Secretly Given Melatonin
According to the complaint, a teacher at Maiden Choice School in the Baltimore County Public Schools district allegedly gave melatonin to students in her special education classroom over a period of at least two months.
The lawsuit was filed by the mother of a 12-year-old nonverbal boy with autism, who claims her son and his classmates were unknowingly subjected to the sleep-inducing supplement during school hours.
The complaint alleges the students “were medically assaulted and battered by the unbeknownst drugging of melatonin.”
According to the lawsuit, the medication was allegedly administered at the beginning of each school day.
“The minor child is said to have been orally provided each morning for a period of at least two months melatonin (hormone adjuster that regulates and promotes sleep) at the beginning of each day,” the complaint states.
Parent Claims Son Suffered Serious Health Effects
The lawsuit alleges the student’s health deteriorated significantly during the period in question.
According to the complaint, the child experienced severe physical and behavioral symptoms that required medical attention.
“[The boy] suffered severe blood loss through bloody noses, blood in his mouth, and frequent blood clotting requiring medical attention, and has shown a lack of motor functioning, uncontrolled emotions, including anger and confusion, and has developed a form of insomnia,” the complaint alleges.
The lawsuit further claims the boy is now unable to properly regulate his sleep schedule and suffered setbacks in his developmental progress.
“[The child] suffered significant cognitive and behavioral setbacks in his already existing treatment and condition.”
Entire Classroom Allegedly Found Sleeping
One of the most alarming allegations in the lawsuit is the claim that multiple students were routinely found asleep during the school day.
According to the complaint, the teacher’s “entire class was found sleeping midday, daily and consistently.”
The lawsuit alleges that administrators, including the school’s principal and assistant principal, either knew or should have known what was happening but failed to report the conduct.
The complaint claims school staff allowed the alleged administration of melatonin to continue despite concerns regarding student welfare.
Whistleblower Complaint Sparked Investigation
According to court filings, the alleged conduct only came to light after a whistleblower employed at the school reported concerns.
The complaint states that the report ultimately led to the teacher being placed on administrative leave while the allegations were investigated.
Although officials have not publicly discussed the details of the case, the lawsuit claims the whistleblower’s actions helped expose what had allegedly been happening inside the classroom.
Teacher No Longer Employed by School District
Baltimore County Public Schools has declined to comment on the pending litigation and allegations.
However, district officials have confirmed that the teacher named in the lawsuit is no longer employed by the school system. No criminal charges have been filed against the teacher or any school officials at this time.
The school’s principal, who is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, continues to be listed as the head of Maiden Choice School.
As the legal case moves forward, the allegations are expected to raise significant questions regarding student safety, oversight and accountability within special education programs.
What are your thoughts on these allegations and the lawsuit against the school? Share your opinion respectfully in the comments below.
