FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — The California Board of Registered Nursing is seeking disciplinary action against two Fresno Unified School District nurses, including the possible suspension or revocation of their nursing licenses, over allegations of gross negligence and incompetence tied to incidents that occurred more than four years ago.
One of the cases centers on the death of 11-year-old Elizabeth Gonzalez, who suffered a severe asthma attack while at school in February 2022. According to the Board of Registered Nursing’s accusation, school nurse Lydia White recognized that Elizabeth required emergency medical care but failed to call 911. Instead, the student was released to a family member.
Elizabeth’s family says they have waited years for accountability.
“As soon as she got in the car, she started sneezing. That’s when her lungs had collapsed,” a family member said. “When a child is struggling, they should automatically call 911.”
The nursing board alleges White’s actions constituted gross negligence. She also faces a separate allegation stemming from an incident just weeks earlier involving a 10-year-old student with a broken wrist. According to the accusation, the student was given an ice pack but was not properly assessed before leaving the school’s health office.
The second disciplinary case involves Xai Elizabeth Torres, Fresno Unifide’s former acting director of Health Services.
The board alleges Torres failed to conduct a thorough investigation following Elizabeth’s death. According to the filing, Torres concluded that White had acted appropriately without reviewing hospital records or interviewing Elizabeth’s family or medical providers.
The allegations have raised concerns among parents in the district.
Irene Segura, who currently has children attending Fresno Unified schools, said she worries about their safety every day.
“Just sending my kids to school every day, I’m standing by the phone all day long,” Segura said.
She added that one of her children now experiences anxiety about visiting the school health office.
“She gets anxiety when they tell her to go to the office,” Segura said, noting the same nurse remained at the school following Elizabeth’s death.
A disciplinary hearing for Lydia White is scheduled for Aug. 18 at 9 a.m. A hearing date has not yet been set for Torres.
Fresno Unified School District declined to comment, citing the pending proceedings.
In a statement, Fresno Unified School Board Trustee Susan Wittrup said:
“Out of respect for the family and any ongoing investigations or legal proceedings, I will not speculate on specific facts. But I remain committed to pursuing transparency, accountability, and all reforms necessary to better protect the children of Fresno Unified.”
The California Board of Registered Nursing will determine whether disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation of the nurses’ licenses, is warranted following the administrative hearings.