Parent's Guide to Daycare Drugging Incidents in The Woodlands

Drug use is on the rise, and unfortunately, the number of children exposed to illegal substances is also increasing. According to the most recent annual report from the National Poison Data System, 40% of poison cases, including improper medication incidents and exposure to illegal drugs, impacted children ages 5 and younger in a single year.

In The Woodlands, it is a well-known issue that community leaders discuss with parents at the annual Children’s Safety Fair at The Woodlands Children’s Museum. Our daycare injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm are also doing our part to educate local parents about daycare drugging incidents, including how they can happen and what you can do if you suspect that your child was improperly medicated or exposed to illegal drugs at a daycare center in The Woodlands.

How Do Drugging Incidents Happen at Daycare Centers in The Woodlands?

Our daycare injury lawyers have seen these shocking incidents happen more often lately. The most common scenarios where little ones are drugged with prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications while at daycare centers in The Woodlands include:

• Daycare workers giving children Benadryl or other antihistamines to make them sleepy, thus easier to control,
• Daycare workers administering an incorrect dose of an approved medicine, and
• OTC medications and dietary supplements like Tylenol and melatonin.

We have also seen an uptick in unqualified caregivers who bring illegal drugs like gummies or cannabis into local daycare centers. (Across the country, there has been a 1,375% increase in cases of children younger than 6 accidentally ingesting cannabis edibles, according to a medical study.) In fact, police officers in Harris County confiscated several packages of THC-laced candy in 2023. And, earlier in the year, the Montgomery County Narcotics Enforcement Team seized 24,000 multicolored pills resembling Smarties or SweeTARTS candies that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Children between the ages of 2 and 3 years old are most susceptible to these drugs that look like candy because they are starting to explore, open containers, and climb up to high places where illicit drugs may be kept.

If you suspect that caregivers at your child’s daycare center in The Woodlands are drugging or improperly medicating your child, learn more about the signs and symptoms of daycare drugging incidents in this article.

What Should I Do If I Suspect My Child Has Been Drugged at a Daycare Center in The Woodlands?

If you suspect your child is being drugged or improperly medicated at a daycare center in The Woodlands, follow these five important steps:

1. Call 911 immediately and report the use of illegal drugs or substances to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
2. Seek medical attention for your child at Texas Children’s Hospital in The Woodlands. You’ll want your child to be properly evaluated, and medical staff can collect the necessary evidence for a police report. A medical professional can help determine the scope and type of drugs in a child’s system.
3. Report the incident to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) by calling the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400 so that the incident can be investigated within 24 hours. A record of the suspected drugging at the daycare center could help protect other children from being poisoned or seriously hurt.
4. Inform yourself and investigate. Talk to the daycare center’s employees and administrators to find out as much information about the incident as possible. Also, speak with other parents to see if other children at the daycare center have been involved in similar incidents.
5. Contact our experienced daycare injury lawyers by calling 281-857-6116, emailing [email protected], or filling out a contact form. Your family may be eligible for compensation to cover medical expenses, therapy, and other immediate and long-term resources to help your child heal from this traumatic incident. We are ready to listen and advise your family on the best approach to hold the daycare accountable and get justice for your child’s experience and injuries. However, there is a two-year time limit for filing a personal injury claim in Texas, so reach out to our team as soon as possible.

Help Your Family After a Daycare Drugging Incident in The Woodlands  

Our experienced and compassionate daycare injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm are dedicated to advocating for you and your family if your child was drugged or improperly medicated while in the care of a childcare facility in The Woodlands. With attorneys recognized on the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers list, we can help guide you after a traumatizing incident involving your child. We work on contingency, meaning we don’t charge you or collect any upfront fees to get started on your case. Call us at 281-857-6116, email us at [email protected], or fill out a contact form for a free case evaluation.