Former Arlington Heights school nurse arrested for misuse of students' medications: police

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - A former Arlington Heights elementary school nurse is behind bars after being accused of misappropriating prescribed medications for students. 

Tory Eitz, 48, was arrested Friday on the following charges stemming from an investigation launched on April 22: 

• One count of official misconduct, a Class 3 felony
• Five counts of forgery, a Class 3 felony
• Seven counts of endangering the life or health of a child, a Class A misdemeanor

Arlington Heights police received a report from the Arlington Heights School District 25 regarding a "potential health, welfare and safety concern" at Westgate Elementary School.

Eitz was accused of misappropriating medication that was prescribed to students, prompting an investigation. 

Detectives said they reviewed evidence collected at the elementary school and conducted several interviews with witnesses, school staff members and parents. 

Police said multiple students who were affected by the misappropriation of medication were identified. 

Following a months-long investigation, detectives said they found that Eitz altered official school documents to "conceal her actions."

She has been processed and released since her arrest, according to police. Eitz is due back in court on Aug. 19. 

The Arlington Heights School District 25 superintendent issued this statement to school families on Friday, shared below: 

"Dear District 25 Community,

"Late this afternoon, the District was notified by the Arlington Heights Police Department of the arrest of a former employee alleged to have misused prescription medication intended for specific student use. Please see the official communication from the Police at the bottom of this email.

"Upon initially being made aware of this matter in April 2024, the District immediately contacted both the Arlington Heights Police Department and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. We cooperated fully in both of their investigations of this matter. The employee was immediately placed on administrative leave, and the District 25 Board of Education took action to terminate their employment at a Special Meeting on May 8, 2024.

"The safety and well-being of our students, staff and school community is and always will be our top priority. Throughout the spring and summer, District 25 administrators, nurses, and legal counsel conducted an extensive and thorough review of guidance documents from the Illinois School Code, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the National Association of School Nurses, the Illinois Association of School Nurses, the Nurse Practice Act, the American Academy of Pediatrics Safe Administration of Medication in School: Policy Statement, and our own District 25 policies. Based on this review, we made substantial enhancements to update the District’s medication management procedures. Parent representatives from District 25 were given an opportunity to review and give feedback on these updates.

"At our Board meeting this week on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, our Department of Student Services delivered a presentation detailing these important changes to be implemented this school year. These changes were communicated to our school community in this letter…

"As always, thank you for your support of District 25 students and schools.

"Sincerely, Dr. Brian A. Kaye, Superintendent"