A Baltimore County parent has filed a civil lawsuit claiming a teacher at Maiden Choice School secretly gave melatonin to students with cognitive disabilities without parental consent, allegedly leaving at least one child with behavioral and physical setbacks. Court documents reviewed by reporters say a pattern of students sleeping in class persisted for weeks and that families were not notified promptly.
According to court filings obtained by The Banner, plaintiff Tiffany Council says a Maiden Choice teacher, identified in the suit as Xenia Murchison, gave melatonin to Council’s nonverbal autistic son and other students. The complaint names Baltimore County Public Schools, the school board, Murchison and principal Kathryn Wess, and alleges assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence. Council’s filing, as reported, says her son suffered cognitive and behavioral setbacks and that the class was found sleeping at the same time every day for at least six weeks.
What Maryland Policy Requires
Maryland’s State School Health Services Guidelines say a student may receive medication at school only with a written order from an authorized prescriber and written consent from a parent or guardian. They also specify that medication is to be given by a licensed school nurse or by staff only after appropriate training and delegation. For school purposes, the guidelines treat supplements and alternative products as medications that must follow the same procedures and record‑keeping rules. See the Maryland State School Health Services Guidelines for specifics.
School Details and the District Response
Maiden Choice is a Baltimore County Public Schools separate day program serving students with significant cognitive disabilities, the school’s public site for Maiden Choice School lists Kathryn Wess as principal and gives the campus address as 4901 Shelbourne Road. The page describes the school’s special‑education mission and provides contact information. In a statement reported to The Banner, Baltimore County Public Schools said Xenia Murchison is no longer employed by the district.
The lawsuit remains active in civil court, and the filings are the primary public record about the allegations at this time. This report will be updated if additional information is made available through court records, the school district or the plaintiff’s counsel.
