SALEM, Ore. — An Oregon school district has rushed to soothe parents at a Salem elementary school who received a letter warning that children not picked up promptly might be turned over to the state.

The Salem Statesman Journal reports that a Salem-Keizer School District spokesman confirmed the letter about the upcoming school year was sent recently to Swegle Elementary School parents. However, district spokesman Jay Remy says it was sent in error because the school’s principal had not reviewed it. Remy described the letter as neither accurate nor courteous and said an apology would follow.

The third paragraph begins: “Children must be picked up on time. If they are not picked up on time we will call DHS and you will then have to pick them up at court the next day.” DHS is the Oregon Department of Human Services.

KPTV of Portland reports parents have been sent a phone message apology.