A school nurse who was fired from Arlington Heights School District 25 earlier this year for what was called inappropriate handling of students’ medication has now been charged in the case.
According to a news release Friday from the Arlington Heights Police Department, Tory Eitz, 48, of the 300 block of West Euclid Avenue in Arlington Heights, is charged with official misconduct and forgery – both felonies – and misdemeanor child endangerment.
She is scheduled to appear in court Monday at the Rolling Meadows courthouse.
Neither Eitz nor her legal counsel could be immediately reached for comment.
Pioneer Press previously reported that at least nine children were at the center of an investigation into the now-former Westgate Elementary School nurse’s alleged “misuse” of prescription medications that were supposed to be administered to students.
The probe came after a student at the school, one of nine in District 25, was reportedly found to have fentanyl in their system.
“On Monday evening, April 22, an Arlington Heights School District 25 administrator was made aware of concerns and documentation regarding a licensed registered nurse at Westgate and the potential misuse of prescription medication intended for specific student use,” SD25 officials stated in a news release at that time. “We immediately reported this matter to the Arlington Heights Police Department and then to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.”
According to the police department release Friday, detectives contacted school officials and learned specific details.
“Through the course of their investigation, detectives reviewed physical evidence collected at the school, information obtained from forensically extracted data and documents obtained through legal process. Detectives conducted numerous interviews with witnesses, school staff members and parents. The investigation soon identified multiple students who were affected, “ the release states.
When this alleged incident first emerge this past spring, Lori Bien was SD25 superintendent but had announced her retirement effective at the end of the school year.
As criminal charges were announced Friday, the new schools chief addressed district families in statement which was also posted on the SD25 website.
“The safety and well-being of our students, staff and school community is and always will be our top priority,” Superintendent Brian Kaye stated.
He explained that as authorities had launched a criminal investigation into Eitz’s alleged acts, the district began “an extensive and thorough review of guidance documents” with assistance from state education and health agencies, along with public health and other civic organizations.
“Based on this review, we made substantial enhancements to update the District’s medication management procedures,” Kaye stated.
The changes were detailed in a presentation at the Aug. 13 District 25 school board meeting and go into effect starting with the upcoming academic year, according to the superintendent.
In its news release, the police also allege that Eitz altered school documents to “conceal her actions.”
“We are satisfied and grateful for her arrest,” Gina DeBoni, managing and senior partner at Romanucci and Blandin, said in a statement the Chicago law firm released after announcement of the charges against Eitz.
Officials at the law firm said Romanucci and Blandin represent nine students in civil action – though no lawsuit has been filed to date.
More Top Picks Amazfit Band 7
“We applaud the Arlington Heights Police Criminal Investigations Bureau, as well as the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, for their months of work on the investigation,” the statement reads. “After four distressing months, the families involved can now breathe a small sigh of relief.”
The lawyers also state a “need to turn the spotlight now to Arlington Heights District 25 and its administrators and school officials for their willful and reckless conduct and their failure to take accountability.”
Following her arrest and processing, Eitz was released from custody pending further court dates.