The owner, along with three other staff members of a local New Hampshire daycare in Manchester, is now in the custody of police authorities after being accused of child endangerment.
The staff voluntarily turned themselves in to the authorities after being accused of sprinkling melatonin in the food of the children they care for without the awareness and consent of their respective parents.
Last week, authorities announced charges against Sally Dreckmann, 52, the owner of a daycare, along with employees Traci Innie, 51; Kaitlin Filardo, 23; and Jessica Foster, 23, all residents of Manchester.
Each individual faces 10 counts related to endangering the welfare of a child, as stated in a recent police statement shared on Facebook.
New Hampshire Daycare Ingests Melatonin To Kids
In November, detectives received a report indicating unsafe practices at an in-home daycare in west Manchester, according to the police.
The investigation revealed that the daycare staff were adding melatonin to children's food without the parents' knowledge or consent. Arrest warrants were subsequently issued for those involved.
Sally Dreckmann was released on a $400 cash bail and is scheduled for arraignment on June 10.
Traci Innie and Jessica Foster were released on personal recognizance bail and have court dates set for June 6. Details regarding Kaitlin Filardo's bail and court date were not available.
It remains unclear whether the four defendants have retained legal representation. Attempts to contact Dreckmann, Innie, and Filardo were unsuccessful, and Foster declined to comment.
The investigation, which began in November 2023, is ongoing, and police have not yet outlined the next steps.
Child Endangerment Through Melatonin Intake
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the brain produces melatonin in response to darkness.
This hormone plays a crucial role in regulating circadian rhythms, the body's 24-hour internal clock, and promoting sleep.
While melatonin gummies and supplements are rampant in the market these days as sleep aids, these supplements often have negative side effects on children's growth and puberty.
The Mayo Clinic notes that melatonin is available over the counter and is generally safe for short-term use. Unlike some sleep medications, melatonin does not typically cause dependency.
The NIH advises parents to consult a healthcare provider before giving melatonin to their children, as there is a risk of accidental or intentional overdose.
A 2022 study found a significant increase in reports to U.S. poison control centers involving melatonin ingestion by individuals 19 years and younger, rising from 8,337 cases in 2012 to 52,563 cases in 2021.
Hospitalizations for this age group also increased during this period, with the most significant rise in cases involving intentional overdoses among teenagers and accidental overdoses in children aged 5 and under.
Furthermore, parents are advised to seek guidance from a licensed healthcare provider before giving melatonin supplements to their children, despite its generally safe reputation for short-term use.
This precaution is essential because over-the-counter melatonin usage can potentially expose children and teenagers to the risk of accidental or intentional overdose.
