Exclusive: 2 children unenrolled from Plainedge School District over vaccination status; father appeals

The students, a 7-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl, were patients of Wild Child Pediatrics in Lindenhurst.

Kevin Vesey

Oct 1, 2024, 2:38 AM

Updated 4 hr ago

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Two students have been unenrolled from the Plainedge School District because of their vaccination status, according to a message from the district superintendent.
The students, a 7-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl, were patients of Wild Child Pediatrics in Lindenhurst. The owner of the practice pleaded guilty to falsifying vaccination records, including for diseases like polio, measles and the mumps.
Their father, Plainedge school board member Joseph Garcia, says his children have been vaccinated. He provided paperwork, which he says proves they have antibodies in their blood.
Garcia claims he never knew Wild Child was falsifying vaccination records.
At a special meeting Monday night, the school board voted to hire a law firm represent the district as Garcia appeals. There was no comment from the school superintendent or other members of the administration.