A Baltimore County mother has filed a lawsuit against Baltimore County Public Schools, alleging that her non-verbal autistic son was unknowingly given melatonin by a teacher at Maiden’s Choice School in fall 2024.
According to the complaint, Tiffany Council claims her son suffered serious physical and cognitive effects after allegedly being administered the sleep aid without parental consent or medical authorization while attending the special-needs school in Baltimore County. The lawsuit names the Baltimore County Board of Education, Maiden’s Choice School, Principal Kathryn Wess, and teacher Xenia Murchison as defendants.
The filing states school administrators launched an internal investigation after a staff member reportedly acted as a whistleblower and reported the alleged conduct. The complaint alleges the teacher was placed on administrative leave and that school officials admitted they had prior suspicions students were appearing unusually sleepy during class for weeks before action was taken.
Council alleges her son experienced severe side effects, including confusion, developmental regression, blood clotting issues, nosebleeds, and difficulty regulating sleep following the alleged incidents. The lawsuit further claims the child was on a physician-approved medication regimen and that no supplements or medications were permitted without parental consent.
The complaint includes claims of assault and battery, negligence, negligent hiring and supervision, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violations of the child’s constitutional and parental rights under federal civil rights law. Council is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and requested a jury trial.
The full lawsuit can be read here.
May 26, 2026
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