Finding out your child has been drugged at his or her daycare can be a stunning, disturbing revelation. If a child gets into an unsecured medicine cabinet and ingests an over-the-counter or prescription drug, this is clear negligence. But when a daycare staff member deliberately drugs your child so they will sleep sooner and longer, it goes far beyond negligence.
You may suspect something is “off” with your child when you pick them up in the afternoon, only to find they are groggy and sleepy. Perhaps the daycare staff may tell you that the child took a longer-than-normal nap or “just woke up.” You know your own child and can detect when something is off with them.
When you have definitive proof that your child is being drugged, you may feel anger, betrayal, disappointment, and anxiety about whether there will be long-term effects from the administration of the drugs. It is important to know that drugging a child is illegal, not to mention dangerous. A child might be allergic to the drug administered and could have a life-threatening reaction. To ensure that justice is served, you must contact a St. Louis daycare drugging negligence lawyer from Finney Injury Law to help you through this difficult time.
How Could a Child Be Drugged at a St. Louis Daycare Facility and What Are the Signs?
The negligent or deliberate actions of daycare staff are almost always how a child is drugged at daycare. When children are unsupervised, they may easily access medications stored in unsecured places like a staff member’s purse or an unsecured storage cabinet where medications or stored. Sometimes, the daycare staff may deliberately use over-the-counter drugs like Melatonin, Nyquil, or an antihistamine or prescription medications and administer them to a child in their food or juice to make them fall asleep quickly and stay asleep longer.
If you notice that your child is unusually drowsy or sleepy when you pick them up from daycare, changes in behavior, including excessive anxiety, irritability, or even aggressive behaviors, slurred speech, or difficulty communicating, this could be a sign of the administration of improper, unauthorized medication or drugging.
As a parent, you may be concerned about the possible adverse effects if your child is illegally given medication at their daycare. In rare cases, an allergic reaction to a drug may occur, causing breathing difficulties, a rash, or even a life-threatening anaphylactic shock. However, physical injuries such as seizures may also occur. Apart from this, cognitive and developmental injuries, including memory impairment and difficulty concentrating, may result from using an unauthorized drug. The long-term health risks of some medicines could lead to heart problems and high blood pressure. Depending on the extent of the situation, your child may also have to deal with psychological trauma or PTSD-like symptoms. As a responsible parent, it is important to understand these potential outcomes and take necessary precautions to keep your child safe.
What Are the Typical Drugs Used in Daycares That Could Harm Your Child?
The drugs that are typically used in daycare drugging situations include the following:
- Melatonin is an over-the-counter drug that is also a hormone that regulates sleep. Melatonin, while relatively safe for adult use, is not approved for children and can result in restlessness, confusion, and even hallucinations. Daycare workers may believe Melatonin is safe because it’s “natural,” but this is simply not the case.
- Benadryl and other antihistamines are used to treat allergies and cold symptoms in adults and in some cases, to counteract an allergic reaction. In a daycare drugging situation, antihistamines are given to a child to make them fall asleep. Antihistamines should be used only under a doctor’s care in children, as they can result in seizures and hallucinations.
- Nyquil contains alcohol, so when given to a child, it can ensure they fall asleep and stay asleep. However, it is not approved for use in children.
- Ritalin is a prescription drug that is typically used to treat ADHD in children. If a daycare worker has a prescription for Ritalin, they may give an active child this drug to calm them down. Ritalin should only be used when prescribed by a doctor and only under a doctor’s supervision, and it can have serious side effects in children, including insomnia, anxiety, and heart problems.
- THC gummies are sometimes given to a child to help them go to sleep and stay asleep. Depending on the state, these may be illegal, but even if the daycare worker can legally purchase THC medically or recreationally, they may not administer THC to children.
What Should You Do if Your Child Has Been Drugged at a Daycare?
If you believe your child has been drugged while at daycare, the safety and well-being of your child should be your top priority. You should remove the child from the daycare until you have all the facts. Make sure to document any symptoms or changes in behavior by keeping a record of changes you have noticed in your child. You may need to contact the authorities and report your suspicions of child abuse to the appropriate authorities.
They may open an investigation, taking action against the daycare center if there is evidence of abuse. Make sure to keep all documentation related to the medical care your child has received in relation to the drugging. Seek legal assistance from a highly skilled St. Louis daycare drugging negligence attorney from Finney Injury Law to ensure you don’t inadvertently miss a step and to ensure your claim is handled professionally.
Why Should You Choose a St. Louis Daycare Drugging Negligence Lawyer from Finney Injury Law?
If you’ve recently experienced a daycare drugging negligence incident with your child, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what steps to take next. However, choosing the right attorney to fight for you and your child doesn’t have to add to your stress. At Finney Injury Law, we offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to provide compassionate, knowledgeable legal guidance. Our experienced trial lawyers are zealous negotiators who work tirelessly to prepare every case for court, ensuring the best possible outcome for you and your family. With over 100 positive client reviews and past clients who regularly refer us to others, you can trust that we’ll provide the same level of commitment and dedication to your case. We understand how difficult and devastating this situation is for you and your child, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Why Hiring a Missouri Daycare Drugging Negligence Lawyer Near You Can Be Good for You and Your Family
Once you have obtained medical care for your child, you must begin considering your options. Deliberately drugging a child is a serious form of daycare abuse that requires strong legal guidance. Our experienced, compassionate attorneys will evaluate your case, then guide you through the process. Contact Finney Injury Law today.