Parents of students at a California day care were outraged after discovering a teacher allegedly used calming patches to put their children to sleep. The Options for Learning Head Start teacher in El Monte reportedly used "Zen Patches" without parental consent.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the children thought they were being rewarded with stickers for good behavior, but patches were actually being used to calm them down. Parents immediately called for the teacher to be fired.
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Parents said they noticed changes in their children's behavior.
According to the LA Times, parents allege their children had been acting strangely for several weeks. Some noticed changes in mood, erratic behavior, and altered sleep patterns. In retrospect, the parents say they believed the differences were due to the patches.
"We were surprised and really upset because you bring your kids, and you expect it to be good, you know," Vicky Cano told Fox 11.
The teacher allegedly put the patches on all the children in the classroom.
Another mom, Maria Contreras, alleges the teacher put patches on every child in the classroom of 3- and 4-year-olds. Parents told the news station they never permitted anyone to use the patches and that someone allegedly removed them before the kids were dismissed, leading some to believe the teacher was hiding them.
"I don't even know what the teacher was thinking when she did that," Cynthia Rodriguez said.
A mom reportedly showed up unexpectedly at the day care.
Per the New York Post, a parent allegedly discovered the teacher was using the patches when she showed up unannounced at the day care facility.
Options for Learning Head Start CEO Paul F. Pulver, confirmed in a statement to Fox 11 that "aromatic stickers were given to a limited number of students." There were reportedly 16 kids in the classroom. He affirmed that using calming patches without parental approval would not be tolerated.
"Their distribution violated our policy requiring parental decision-making and consent on all such matters. The employee who provided the stickers has been fired," he said.
Using this type of patch could be dangerous.
Dr. Daniel Turner-Lloveras told Fox 11 there are potential risks associated with applying anything to a child without parental consent. Whether it is medication or an essential oil, it could cause a reaction. He added that the US Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate these types of products, and their effects are unknown.
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Parents reportedly aren't satisfied.
Some parents feel like the day care facility should have enforced a stricter penalty.
"Firing her is not good enough at all," Stephanie Rodriguez told Fox 11. "I want justice. She should be in jail."
The parents whose children were allegedly given a patch have withdrawn their children from school, reported Fox 11, despite the administration stating that it was an isolated incident with one teacher no longer working at the facility.
The teacher's name was not released, and whether she will face charges is unclear.
