Four home daycare workers in Manchester, New Hampshire, have been charged with adding melatonin to children’s meals.
According to WMUR law enforcement, the owner and three staff members are suspected of adding the substance to children’s lunches while attending the day care on Amory Street. report on Thursday.
Police say New Hampshire childcare worker sprinkled melatonin on children’s meals https://t.co/Wnde6yVB0j pic.twitter.com/YrGIJgS5MD
— New York Post (@nypost) May 17, 2024
The suspects are daycare manager Sally Dreckman, 52, and staff members Tracy Inney, 51, Caitlin Filardo, 23, and Jessica Foster, 23.
They are each charged with 10 counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
according to According to WebMD, melatonin is a hormone produced by the body. At night, it signals the human body that it’s time to sleep. Melatonin found in supplements is usually manufactured in a laboratory.
Some people who have trouble sleeping have low melatonin levels. It is thought that adding melatonin from supplements may promote sleep. Melatonin is most commonly used to improve sleep in various situations such as insomnia and jet lag.
The nursery school in question was said to be unlicensed. However, state law may allow it in some circumstances. Unlicensed day care in New Hampshire Care According to WMUR, for no more than three children at a time:
In late 2023, police received information from someone at the day care that melatonin was being administered to children without their parents’ knowledge or consent, and more information came in during the investigation.
On Thursday, the suspects turned themselves in to law enforcement. They were eventually released and a court date scheduled for June.
“Oh yeah, if that was my child I would be very upset,” said one neighbor. Said CBS Boston:
Manchester Police spokesperson Heather Hummel said: “This is an over-the-counter drug, typically used as a sleep aid, and was given to children without their parents’ knowledge or consent.” So obviously that’s a concern. ”
“They don’t know how the kids will react to it. They don’t know if they’re having an allergic reaction or if there’s more symptoms,” she added.
As a result, it is important to note that none of the children involved required medical attention.
