ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Felony charges have been filed against a former school nurse in Arlington Heights accused of misappropriating medication prescribed to students.
According to Arlington Heights police, 48-year-old Tory Eitz has been charged with one felony count of official misconduct, one felony count of forgery and one misdemeanor count of endangering the life or health of a child.
Officers said the charges were handed down following a months-long investigation involving Eitz, who was a nurse at Westgate Elementary School.
Police said on April 22, officers were notified about a potential health, welfare and safety concern at Westgate Elementary School in Arlington Heights School District 25. After contacting school officials for details, an investigation into concerns that the school’s nurse was misappropriating medication prescribed to students began.
During the investigation, detectives interviewed several witnesses, school staff members and parents and identified multiple students who were affected.
Authorities said detectives determined that Eitz allegedly altered official school documents to conceal her actions.
Eitz was taken into custody on Friday before being processed and released. She is set to make a court appearance on Monday, Aug. 19.
Gina DeBoni, a Managing and Senior Partner at Romanucci & Blandin, which represents nine District 25 families, said the charges against Eitz were a “step toward accountability” but called for a greater focus on the actions of district officials.
“This is one meaningful step in justice, but Tory Eitz’s actions did not exist in a vacuum. We need to turn the spotlight now to Arlington Heights District 25 and its administrators and school officials for their willful and reckless conduct and their failure to take accountability.
“Romanucci & Blandin represents nine District 25 families. During the course of our civil investigation, we learned that District 25 administrators and school officials knew of improper administration of medication, missing medication, and the failure to follow protocols when that medication went missing. This goes back as far as the 2022-2023 school year. We believe this evidence is a clear indication of District 25’s complicity in Tori Eitz’s actions. Their willful and reckless actions put the well-being and safety of many children at risk,” DeBoni’s statement read in part.