Manchester, New Hampshire – Four daycare employees in New Hampshire have been arrested after a six-month investigation into allegations that they spiked children’s food with the sleep supplement melatonin. The arrests were made following reports of unsafe practices at the daycare in Manchester, just outside the state capital of Concord.
The authorities were alerted to the situation in November 2023, prompting a thorough investigation into the daycare’s operations. It was discovered that children were being secretly given melatonin without the knowledge or consent of their parents. The daycare owner, Sally Dreckmann, 52, along with three employees – Traci Innie, 51, Kaitlin Filardo, and Jessica Foster, both 23 – now face 10 charges of endangering children as a result of their actions.
The use of melatonin, a sleep aid supplement, on children raises concerns about its long-term effects, as the full impact on children’s health is not widely understood. Reports of accidental overdoses of melatonin in children have prompted warnings from health authorities, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, which cautions against its use among children and adolescents due to the lack of FDA oversight.
Furthermore, it was revealed that Dreckmann’s daycare was operating without a license, which is permissible in New Hampshire for facilities watching no more than three children at a time. This lack of oversight has raised questions about the safety and legitimacy of unlicensed daycare operations in the state.
Local residents expressed shock and outrage upon learning about the arrests and the unethical practices at the daycare. Some even called for the facility to be shut down to prevent any further harm to the children under its care. The community’s response underscores the importance of stringent regulations and oversight in childcare facilities to ensure the safety and well-being of young children.
As investigations continue and legal proceedings unfold, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with unregulated childcare practices and the need for heightened vigilance in safeguarding children’s welfare. The case has sparked discussions about the accountability of daycare providers and the measures necessary to prevent such incidents in the future.