Did you know daycare centers are required by law to provide your child with a nap or rest time? However, our experienced Why Is It a Problem If a Daycare Center Gives a Child Sleep Aids?
Many parents may be familiar with Benadryl and melatonin, which are used for allergies and sleep regulation. However, under the minimum standards, using them on children at daycare centers is considered a drugging incident.
Administration of medications—be it a prescription or over-the-counter—is strictly regulated in Texas. The minimum standards require a parent to give the daycare center permission with a one-year expiration in one of the following ways:
In the event of an emergency and a child’s life is at risk, such as an allergic reaction, preauthorization is not required if the medicine is given as it is intended.
To prevent these dangerous drugging incidents, daycare centers must go through the mandated screening process when hiring qualified caregivers, provide caregivers with the proper training to administer medications, ensure classrooms are in ratio, and maintain oversight of their caregivers to ensure that children under their watch are safe and not being medicated to make them sleep longer and easier to control.
What Are the Health Risks of Giving a Child Benadryl or Melatonin Without Permission at a Daycare Center?
When caregivers give children sleep aids without parental permission, without medical supervision, or for an unintended purpose, these substances can be harmful to their little bodies. For example, Benadryl’s label specifically states the medication is not intended to put a child to sleep and is not approved for children younger than 2 years old.
In addition, children can experience:
Learn more about the harmful effects of giving children sleep aids at daycare centers in this video.
How Can You Tell If Your Child Is Being Drugged at a Daycare Center?
If a caregiver at your child’s daycare center is secretly administering Benadryl or melatonin to your child, here are some warning signs to watch for:
Also, if your child refuses to go to daycare or gets upset in the morning, that could be a red flag that something is happening without your knowledge. Get more information on signs that your child may have been drugged at a daycare center in this article.
Can I Sue a Daycare Center If My Child Was Given a Sleep Aid Without My Consent?
If a daycare center breaches its duty to keep your child safe by giving your child sleep aids without your permission and for an unintended purpose, you have the legal right to hold the center and its caregivers accountable. As we discussed earlier in this article, daycare drugging incidents break the state’s childcare laws and put your child at risk of suffering serious health issues.
Our daycare injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm are experienced in helping families get justice in these situations. For instance, we got justice for a family in Abilene after a toddler was given Benadryl at a daycare center on multiple occasions to make her easier to control. If you are not ready to contact us, learn more about filing a daycare lawsuit in this video series.
Was Your Child Harmed at a Daycare Center in Texas? Contact The Button Law Firm.
If your child was physically or emotionally harmed because a daycare center did not comply with Texas childcare safety laws, contact our experienced daycare injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm. With lawyers in Dallas, Houston, and Midland, we are ready to listen, fight for your family, and help your family move forward. Our lawyers 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 214-699-4409, email us at [email protected], or fill out a contact form for a free case evaluation.
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