BY: LITIGATION OFFICE | BocaNewsNow.com

BOYNTON BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Bethesda East preschool operated by Baptist Health allegedly gave a 17-month-old child THC gum. The child, according to the recent lawsuit filed in Palm Beach County Circuit Court, later required emergency treatment for acute THC poisoning. The nursery, known as the “Clifford and Madeline Ripley Early Learning Center of Bethesda” is located at 2575 SW 2nd Street. It is just a few blocks from the current center of Bethesda East Hospital.

The suit, obtained by BocaNewsNow.comsays the child’s guardians expected the child to be cared for professionally and safely. But on June 17, 2024, the child “consumes a food, candy, gum, or other hazard or dangerous substance that contained THC, causing the 17-month-old child to suffer acute THC poisoning, seizures, and other serious and permanent types. wound.” The lawsuit makes the following additional claims:

“(Baptist Health) failed to maintain the Clifford and Madeline Ripley Early Learning Center of Bethesda in a reasonably safe condition; negligently failed to supervise the child inside the facility and on the outdoor playground; negligently failed to provide specific child care personnel to directly supervise a group of children; negligently failed to keep the childcare facility clean and free from health and safety hazards; negligently failed to keep the Clifford and Madeline Ripley Early Learning Center in Bethesda free of narcotics, alcohol or other impairing drugs, including but not limited to THC, which pose a danger to children on the premises of the child care facility .”

As a result of ingesting THC, the child allegedly suffered bodily harm resulting in “pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, permanent and significant scarring, mental anguish, loss of ability to enjoy life, hospital, medical and care expenses and medical treatment, activation of a latent condition and/or aggravation of a pre-existing condition. Losses are either permanent or continuous…”

The lawsuit seeks more than $50,000, the legal minimum for filing a lawsuit in Palm Beach County Circuit Court. Baptist did not file a response processed Monday by the Palm Beach County Clerk. The child’s family is represented by attorney Thomas Jerla, Jr. at Morgan and Morgan in Plantation.