Teen arrested after teacher sickened by his asthma medicine

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[chance33_98]

Teen arrested after teacher sickened by his asthma medicine

ABC13 Eyewitness News (1/16/04 - MAGNOLIA, TX) — A bizarre story in Magnolia ends with a teenager in lock up and a teacher in the hospital. Now the boy's family is concerned he's being treated unfairly.

The boy's family says eyewitnesses actually saw the boy take a couple of puffs from his rescue inhaler for treatment of asthma, then blowing the medicine at a teacher. The family, though, says he's a good kid and the charge of using deadly force simply doesn't fit the crime.

Judy McCreary wants desperately to see her son. Sixteen-year-old Michael Todd is in custody at the Magnolia Juvenile Detention Center, arrested and accused of illegally discharging his asthma inhaler at school.

"It's absurd. It's ridiculous. It's an inhaler," said McCreary.

Todd's family says the medicine was albuterol, a drug commonly used to prevent the onset of asthma attacks.

Both the school district and Montgomery County Constable's office say the discharge of medicine was unrelated to any medical necessity, though, and resulted in health consequences for a teacher. She apparently suffered an allergic reaction and went to the emergency room.

Todd's uncle, Steve Wilson, says the school told him the teen blew the medicine toward the teacher while asking her a question. But he also says witnesses believe the incident was not intentional.

"It's possible he was playing a joke, or whatever, to see the smoke come out as he talked to her," theorized Wilson. "That's possible, that it was not malicious."

Todd's family says he's been kicked out of Magnolia High School now because of the incident. More concerning, though, they say is that he may not be released from the juvenile detention center before Tuesday.

McCreary said, "I just think it's wrong to hold him four or five days is not right. Not when he's never been in any trouble."

The state legally has two business days to hold a detention hearing in any juvenile case. Since Todd was arrested Thursday, Friday would be day one. The weekend and Monday holiday don't count, so Tuesday would be two business days, although in reality it is nearly day six.

But the juvenile department has suggested that they may hold a special Saturday hearing on this case.

[lelio]

How do you end up in the hospital after breathing in second hand albuterol?

[Eva]

I was wondering the same thing.

[Jeff Chandler]

I've never heard of anyone having an allergic reaction to (what was most likely) inhaled albuteral. As a matter of fact, it is often used to relieve the symptoms of allergic reaction. And how much could the teacher possibly have ingested from having it blown into her face? There must be more to this story, because what I read doesn't make sense.

Any pharmacists out there?

[blackbart.223]

"The family, though, says he's a good kid and the charge of using deadly force simply doesn't fit the crime.

Does anyone but me see where this leading? All I can say is keep your kids out of public schools.

[blackbart.223]

"There must be more to this story, because what I read doesn't make sense."

It doesn't make sense. The next thing you know they will be jailing kids for farting in class. Deadly methane you know.

[Jeff Chandler]

Deadly methane you know.

Contributing to Global Warming to boot.

[blackbart.223]

"Contributing to Global Warming to boot."

It's all those damn cattle we raise for food. And the resultant farts from eating them.

[MattAMiller]

It would be nice to know what exactly police are alledging that he did. Did he blow it right in her face?

[blackbart.223]

"It would be nice to know what exactly police are alledging that he did. Did he blow it right in her face?"

Even if he did you could hardly construe that as use of deadly force. How upside down this country has become.

[moyden2000]

Educrat thugs.

[blackbart.223]

"Educrat thugs."

Nail hit on the head. She is probably a member of The NEA.

[Terry Mross]

Actually there was once a problem in Erath, Texas. They said two many cows were emitting too much "gas". True story. I have no idea what they did to alleviate the problem. Guess they gave them gas ex.

[lelio]

I have no idea what they did to alleviate the problem.

I'm not sure about collecting the gas emitted, but the dung can be used to fuel the farm. 850 cows produce enough manure which is collected and fermented to form methane gas to power the farms and 78 surrounding houses.

[blackbart.223]

"Actually there was once a problem in Erath, Texas. They said two many cows were emitting too much "gas". True story. I have no idea what they did to alleviate the problem. Guess they gave them gas ex."

Things must have been a bit smelly before they did that.

[texas booster]

This makes absolutely no sense at all. I've check a couple of websites, and albuterol is a very safe bronchodialator. I've personally used it for years. No are no major contraindications that I can find, although there are notes to notify your doctor is you are already on a heart medication.

It seems that he puffed two doses, and the white powder in the container came out of his mouth while speaking. It can happen if he speaks too soon after dosing. Big deal, I can't imagine that she could even smell it.

Me thinks, if the facts are as stated in this news story, that the teacher ought to be charged with filing a false report, and charged full price for the ambulance trip. Any teacher in America that is unfamiliar with asthma medications doesn't deserve to a classroom.

Sounds like fraud, or trying to get back at the kid. Strange that the reporter did not include more information on the teacher.

[MattAMiller]

Of course she is. Public schools are union shops.

[blackbart.223]

" Public schools are union shops."

They sure are. And the kids suffer as a result.

[rmh47]

Deadly methane you know.

Contributing to Global Warming to boot.

I think the people who live in the Northeast have had about all the Global Warming they can stand!

;>)

[blackbart.223]

"Strange that the reporter did not include more information on the teacher."

It's not all that strange. Most reporters are liberal suck ups. Most public school "teachers" are members of The NEA. Birds of a feather flock together.