The parents of a 9-year-old girl say school officials denied her access to an inhaler even after a coughing fit made her so sick that she vomited.

Emma Gonzales got the inhaler after a coughing fit sent her to a local emergency room over the weekend, Fox 13 reports. When Gonzales attempted to use the inhaler during a coughing fit in class, the teacher sent her to the office.

At that point, a school staff member took the inhaler from Gonzales. The girl continued to cough and eventually threw up on her pants.

Jordan School District officials are standing by their actions, saying that the school had not been notified that the student would be using an inhaler and the device did not have her name on it.

District spokeswoman Sandy Riesgraf said the school’s policies are “for the student’s safety” to avoid children using medications that have not been verified for use. Parents are required to file paperwork for any medications that children may need to use during school hours.

While the girl’s parents said they understand the school’s policies, they thought that their daughter should have been allowed to use her inhaler during her coughing fit. The girl’s father said she won’t return to school right away.

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