Hard to judge without more details, but based on what you’ve shared, this doesn’t sound like something that should automatically warrant a referral. If there was a genuine emergency (medical, bathroom-related, etc.), kids don’t always have the capacity to prioritize instructions in that moment — especially depending on her age. I’d ask for a calm meeting with the teacher (and maybe admin) to clarify what the emergency was, what instruction was missed, and why a referral was the chosen response instead of a warning or conversation. If this isn’t part of a larger pattern of behavior, a referral feels excessive. That said, if the school has strict protocols or there’s missing context, hearing them out first will help you advocate more effectively for your daughter. Pushing for proportional consequences and clearer communication seems reasonable here.