A former day care director in Indiana was recently sentenced to six months in prison for giving melatoning gummies to children without their parents’ consent.
Tonya Rachel Voris, 53, was charged last year with 11 felonies of dependent neglect and six misdemeanor counts of reckless supervision by a child care worker. She pleaded guilty on Friday and was sentenced to six months in prison.
Voris gave the children gummy bears and helped them sleep during nap time. She worked at New Life Church’s Kids Life child care ministry in Cumberland, a suburb of Indianapolis.
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Seventeen children, ranging from infants to four years old, ate the gummies.
Tonya Rachel Voris, 53, was charged with 11 felonies for neglecting her dependents after giving them melatoning gummies to put them to sleep. (Hancock County Jail/Getty Images)
One parent initially asked Voris to give her child pediatric-strength melatonin to help her sleep during naptime, according to the affidavit.
Voris was satisfied with the effects of the gummies and immediately began administering them to children without parental consent.
The children are said to have experienced side effects, but the specific symptoms are unknown.
“Vorris forced several children to do so for his personal benefit of not having to deal with noisy or problematic children who refused to go to sleep during nap times, which were designated as recess by several staff members. and administered melatoning gummies to induce sleep,” court documents obtained. I read it on FOX 59.
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Voris worked at the Kids Life child care ministry at New Life Church in Cumberland. (Google Maps)
The church’s pastor contacted Cumberland Metropolitan Police after being told about the incident by another day care employee. At the time, Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton noted that gummies have a variety of side effects that parents should be aware of.
“Over-the-counter medications have many side effects and can affect individuals in different ways depending on other health conditions, medications, and other supplements taken. It’s essential that parents give clear permission, Eaton said, according to FOX 59.
Sleep aids (some are melatoning gummies) on sale at a store in Miami, Florida, April 26, 2023 (Photo by Joe Radle/Getty Images)
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Voris lived in Fortville, Indiana at the time, but now lives in Dade City, Florida. She was immediately taken into custody after Friday’s sentencing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
