In 2023, the Texas Poison Center received 2,002 calls about cannabis exposure, and this figure included children who were exposed to the illegal substance at daycare centers in The Woodlands.
Unfortunately, the rising demand for childcare help has prompted some centers in The Woodlands to compromise on safety measures. This includes hiring unqualified caregivers who are allowed to work closely with children despite having incomplete background checks or inadequate training. Shockingly, some of these individuals bring illegal substances like alcohol, opioids, stimulants, and marijuana into daycare centers, posing serious risks to a child's health.
Sometimes, drugs can look like candy, appealing to toddlers or young children who may find them in a daycare classroom. The community news site Woodlands Online helped the Montgomery County Narcotics Enforcement Team educate local parents about how closely illegal drugs can resemble candy, which appeals to young children. Read the full story by clicking here.
Children in The Woodlands are also at risk of being medicated by unqualified caregivers who administer over-the-counter drugs, such as melatonin or Benadryl, along with other antihistamines that cause drowsiness. These medications can make high-energy little ones sleepy, thus making them easier to manage.
Our experienced daycare injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm have also seen incidents of drugging when daycare workers are distracted and overwhelmed by exceeded child-to-caregiver ratios and administer an incorrect dosage of approved medication to a child. These scary situations can also happen when medications are not properly stored at the daycare center, and children are able to ingest multiple doses unnoticed.
Unfortunately, our legal team has noticed a rise in instances of children being drugged at daycare centers. That's why we're committed to helping parents in The Woodlands detect symptoms that could indicate a child is being drugged or improperly medicated at a daycare center. These signs include:
- Changes in sleep patterns and behaviors, including frequent nightmares and bed-wetting
- Difficulty concentrating
- Frequent temper tantrums and outbursts
- Regressions in developmental milestones
- Signs of anxiety or depression
- Social anxiety, such as no longer wanting to play with friends
Watch this video to learn more about what you should do if you suspect your child is being drugged at a daycare center in The Woodlands.
How Can Children Get Hurt When They Are Improperly Drugged at Daycare Centers in The Woodlands?
Common injuries that children in The Woodlands can sustain when they are drugged or improperly medicated at local daycare centers include:
- Brain injuries, which can have lasting repercussions on a child’s development and future well-being
- Cardiac arrest or a seizure caused by stimulants, which can quickly become a life-or-death emergency
- Going into anaphylactic shock when a child is severely allergic to an unauthorized medication
- Irreparable damage to vital organs
It’s heartbreaking to think that something as simple as medication could end a child’s life. But here is the good news: By following safety guidelines outlined in the minimum standards, getting parental permission, and following parental directions properly, daycare centers in The Woodlands can prevent unthinkable tragedies.
Medication Laws for Daycare Centers in The Woodlands
To protect children in The Woodlands from harmful drugging incidents at daycare centers, facilities are required to use one of the following methods to get permission from a parent before administering any medication, be it a prescription from a child’s doctor or an over-the-counter medication like Tylenol or Benadryl:
- Handwritten authorization that is signed and dated
- An electronic format like DocuSign or a PDF file that is capable of being viewed and saved
- Verbal consent via a telephone call, permitting a worker at the daycare center to administer a single dose of medication
In The Woodlands, daycare centers are required to maintain up-to-date records of medication permissions for all children enrolled at the facility. For instance, parental permissions typically last for one year at local daycare centers before they need to be reviewed and, potentially, revised. This ensures that the daycare center is always informed and prepared to provide the necessary care for each child.
Texas daycare laws have provisions for emergency situations, such as severe allergic reactions, where a child's life is at risk. In these instances, daycare centers in The Woodlands are allowed to administer medication, like an EpiPen, without prior authorization if necessary for the child's well-being. It's a crucial safety measure to ensure the welfare of all children under a daycare center’s watch.
Help Your Family After a Daycare Drugging Incident in The Woodlands
Our team of experienced and compassionate daycare injury attorneys at The Button Law Firm is 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 in Houston and Montgomery County, we are ready to listen and fight for your family. Our attorneys at The Button Law Firm are recognized on the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers list, and 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.
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