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Anisah Burks, 35, was an employee of the Primrose School in Prosper, Texas until she was fired after four children suddenly became ill on Halloween
A Texas kindergarten teacher has been charged with misdemeanor after several one-year-old children in her care ingested marijuana gummies they believed to be Halloween candies and had to be hospitalized, according to police.
Anisah Burks, 35, was a staff member at the Primrose School in Prosper, Texas until she was fired after four kids suddenly became ill on Halloween.
Researchers say the children, who were all under two years old, were exposed to THC, the psychoactive chemical found in marijuana, which is recreationally illegal in Texas.
Burks left the school before the first responders arrived, but they found a black jacket she had left with THC gummies in a ziplock bag in one of the pockets.
The case shows children being exposed to drug-filled candies during the holidays, dispelling the notion that it’s a myth.
Burks now faces several charges, including possession of a controlled substance and four counts of injuring a child.
Authorities responded to the school Monday night and Prosper Fire-Rescue took two children to the hospital, while the Frisco Fire Department transported one to the hospital and another was taken for medical care by their parents.
The school said all the children are now home to recover from the ordeal.
“This news is shocking, disturbing and shocks us to the core of every principle we stand for,” the school said in a statement.
Primrose School said on Tuesday that Burks was fired after she was arrested, adding that she was subject to the same background checks as other employees.
The school was even forced to close on Tuesday and disinfect their classrooms to prevent the incident from happening again.
Researchers say the children, who were all under two years old, were exposed to THC, the psychoactive chemical found in marijuana, which is recreationally illegal in Texas. In the photo: kindergarten
“We have every reason to believe, including from the authorities, that this was an isolated incident involving a teacher who was immediately fired,” the school said.
It is unclear how long Burks had been teaching at the school or what her teaching duties were.
Burks was not eligible for a court-appointed attorney at the time of her arrest and currently does not have one, according to the Collin County District Clerk’s Office.
“This swift arrest was the result of the school’s full cooperation and the combined efforts of PPD and Prosper Fire-Rescue.
“The Texas Department of Family Services, Child Care Licensing Division has also been notified,” the Prosper Police Department said.
Primrose School of Prosper said in a statement: “On Monday, October 31, after four children in our preschool class showed unusual symptoms of illness, our staff acted immediately and called 9-1-1 and our building was evacuated. Police have been notified and the facility is closed today.
These four children were hospitalized for treatment and found to have been exposed to THC, an illegal substance.
“Local authorities have claimed that the source of the exposure was related to a teacher in the room, and the person was immediately fired. With our help, the police quickly sprang into action to make an arrest.
This news is shocking, disturbing and shocks us to the core of every principle we stand for.
“We have no greater priority every day than the health and safety of the children in our care.
“As part of our strict security measures, we conduct background checks on all faculty and staff before they are hired.
‘The person involved in this situation was subjected to the same background checks as all our teachers.
“Local authorities have searched our entire campus and found our school safe to occupy, and we are cleaning up the nursery today.
“The authorities have informed us that we can open again tomorrow. Words cannot adequately express our deep concern on this matter.
“We have every reason to believe, including from the authorities, that this was an isolated incident involving a teacher who was immediately fired.
“We pray for a speedy recovery for these children and are relieved that they are all home from the hospital.”