Prosper preschool staffer arrested after children exposed to THC on Halloween, police say

After four students became ill following a suspected THC exposure on Halloween, a preschool staffer was arrested, Prosper police said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

Authorities received a call around 4:35 p.m. Monday about a medical emergency at the Primrose School of Prosper in the 1100 block of La Cima Boulevard.

Prosper police said four children from the same classroom had suddenly become ill and were taken to a nearby hospital. Two were taken by the Prosper Fire Rescue, one by the Frisco Fire Department, and one by their parents as they had already left the scene.

Of the children hospitalized, three have been discharged and one is hospitalized in stable condition, police said. Police also said the department tried calling every parent who had a child at the school Monday.

Primrose Schools did not immediately respond to a Dallas Morning News request for comment. The Prosper school said in a statement to KXAS-TV (NBC 5) that after the children in its toddler classroom showed “unusual symptoms,” staff acted immediately, calling 9-1-1, and the building was evacuated.

“This news has been shocking, upsetting and shakes us to the very core of every principle we stand for,” the school said in its statement. “There is no greater priority to us every day than the health and safety of the children entrusted to our care.”

Police said evidence suggests the students were exposed to THC, the active ingredient found in marijuana. Primrose School said in its statement that after local authorities alleged the exposure was linked to a teacher in the room, that teacher was immediately fired.

Anisah Burks, 35, was booked into the Collin County jail Tuesday, records show. It is unclear whether she has an attorney. Police said Burks, who was a staffer at the school, will face multiple charges, including felony possession of a controlled substance and four counts of injury to a child.

The school said in its statement that it has “stringent safety measures,” conducting background checks on all teachers and staff before they are hired, and the individual involved was subjected to those same checks.

The school also said it was closed Tuesday, the toddler room was sanitized, and authorities searched the campus, deeming the school safe to occupy and reopen Wednesday.

“Words cannot sufficiently express our deep concern over this matter,” the statement said. “We have every reason to believe, including from the authorities, that this was an isolated incident involving one teacher who was immediately terminated.”

Police said the Texas Department of Family Services and Child Care Licensing Division were both notified.

“This swift arrest was the result of the complete cooperation of the school, and the combined efforts of PPD and Prosper Fire Rescue,” police said in a statement.

Anyone with information about the incident may contact Prosper police at 972-569-1046.