Deer Creek Special Education Teacher Fired; Allegedly Medicating Students

Deer Creek special education elementary students were allegedly given gummies before naptime, according to a parent of one of the students.

Parents learned of the violation after the teacher was fired last month.

According to a letter from the Deer Creek school district’s superintendent, the on-going situation occurred in a severe-profound classroom where many students are non-verbal.  

The mother who wants to remain anonymous was not aware Amanda Bristow was no longer working at Grove Valley Elementary until she found a non-descript email from the district's superintendent. The email was sent on August 31st and stated school leaders were made aware of a medication violation three days earlier. The parent was told by a school staff member it possibly started at the beginning of the school year.

“I asked my son was there anything she was giving you?,” said concerned parent. “He told me she gave me special gummies every day and then we would take a nap," said Deer Creek parent.

A Deer Creek official told News 9 they could not comment on the type of medication administered to students because it was a personnel issue. We were told the situation did not require criminal investigation and police were not contacted. In addition, the email to parents stated, "this is a safety issue, we take violations of this policy very seriously and have strict protocols that all staff members are expected to follow."

“I know she really pushed Focus Factor in her class,” said concerned parent. “So, I’m not sure if that’s what she was giving them, or it was something else and I feel like at this point we will never truly know.”

The mother is now considering removing her son from the school and has talked to an attorney.

“It’s just not safe that person is around other children,” said concerned parent. “Especially special needs children who don’t have a voice for themselves.”

News 9’s Legal Analyst Irven Box said if the medication was a controlled substance the teacher could potentially face a felony drug charge and a charge for endangering a child or children.