Family says school nurse gave child Ritalin instead of Motrin

BLACKSTONE, Mass. — A Blackstone family has many questions after the school nurse inadvertently gave their daughter Ritalin instead of Motrin.

“I fell backwards, cause there's a pole where you hang your jackets, and I fell right there, near the window,” said 7-year-old Madison Young.

Madison attends John F. Kennedy Elementary School and earlier this week after falling in the lunchroom, she went to the school nurse.

“She said, ‘Hi Ava,’ I said ‘I'm not Ava,’ but then she still proceeded to give me the medicine,” Madison said.

The medicine was not Motrin, but a dose of Ritalin, a stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder. It was intended for another female student.

Kelly Russell, Madison’s mother, said the nurse called her in a panic.

“I was pretty upset, I was crying, I couldn't get there fast enough,” said Russell.

Russell says she had to tell the nurse to call poison control, but thankfully Madison was okay.

“This is serious, a lot worse could have happened, people should be aware of it,” she said.

In a statement the superintendent told FOX25, "I met with all parties today to discuss our protocols and procedures and reviewed them so that this mistake never happens again. The health and safety of every student is what we must guarantee to the very best of our ability each and every day."

Russell said she never met with the superintendent and wants to know why the nurse didn't verify her daughter's identity before dispensing medication.

“Which is what I want to happen, I want to make sure this doesn't happen to another child, it's my biggest concern here,” said Russell.

Cox Media Group