In a concerning incident in Texas, parents at a local kindergarten are raising alarms after teachers reportedly distributed sleep aid patches to young children. The case has been reported to the police for investigation.
According to ABC News on October 11, Lisa Luviano, a mother from Springs, discovered that her 4-year-old daughter, who attends Northgate Crossing Elementary School’s affiliated kindergarten, came home one day with a sticker featuring a starry night design on her arm. Curious about the sticker, Luviano asked her daughter where it came from. The girl replied, “This is a sleep patch. The teacher gave it to me to use when I go to sleep.”
Upon hearing this, Luviano was shocked and expressed concern that the sleep patches might contain melatonin, a hormone known for its sleep-inducing properties according to the National Institutes of Health.
“I feel incredibly anxious just thinking about what is happening at the school,” Luviano admitted.
The following day, Luviano reported the teacher’s actions to the school administration but did not receive an immediate response. Frustrated, she spoke to a local KTRK reporter, saying, “The school claimed they would look into it and fully support parents, but after two days, the teacher is still in the school.”
Another parent, Najla Abdullah, received a text from Luviano and began questioning her own 4-year-old son about whether he had received any “special stickers.” Her son confirmed, “Yes, mom. I got a special sticker.” When she asked what it looked like, he replied, “I put it on my hand, and it has storms, clouds, stars, and the moon.” It turned out to be a sleep patch.
Abdullah and other parents initiated calls to the school and reported the situation to child protective services.
The Northgate Crossing Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association announced that two teachers and two aides involved in the distribution of the sleep patches have been suspended and that the police are now handling the investigation. During the inquiry, those involved have been placed on administrative leave.
In an email from the school, it was stated, “It is deeply concerning and absolutely unacceptable to learn that a teacher provided students with melatonin.” The school emphasized that “under no circumstances should any staff member administer medication to students without proper procedures.” However, the involved staff members have not faced any charges at this time.
Luviano expressed her outrage to reporters, stating, “Their actions are completely unacceptable. We send our kids to school believing they are safe. We trust our teachers, and to have this happen is truly unimaginable.”
