Unlicensed Daycare Owner, Employees Charged For Putting Melatonin In Kids’ Food Without Parental Consent
A daycare owner and three employees in New Hampshire have been charged after endangering children behind closed doors.
Owner of the in-home daycare, Sally Dreckmann and her employees, Traci Innie, 52, Kaitlin Filardo, 23, and Jessica Foster, 23, have all been charged with 10 counts of endangering the welfare of a child after sprinkling melatonin on the children's food. WMUR-9 reported the daycare is unlicensed, but is allowed in the state under select circumstances.
Manchester NH Police posted on Facebook, informing users that the three women have turned themselves in on child endangerment charges.
Melatonin is largely available over the counter, often advertised as a sleeping-aid. However, the National Institute of Health reports that there aren't many studies on its effect on children. Per the Mayo Clinic, side effects of the aid include headache, dizziness, nausea, and daytime drowsiness.
"This comes after a lengthy investigation led by the Manchester Police Juvenile Division. In November 2023, detectives received a report alleging unsafe practices going on in an in-home daycare at 316 Amory Street," the department wrote.
"Through the investigation, police determined that the children's food was being sprinkled with melatonin without their parent's knowledge or consent."
According to NH Police, warrants were issued for the owner of the daycare before all three women turned themselves in. The comment section was riddled with Facebook user's brutally honest opinions.
"In home daycare on Amory st OK sounds good, what kinda moonbat operation was this, they should all do life," one user responded. "Wow, look at the appearance of these 'so-called' daycare workers! I would not leave my kids with any of these people!!!" another wrote.
NBC News reports Dreckmann, 52, was released on $400 cash bail and is set to be arraigned on June 10. Co-workers Innie and Foster were released on personal recognizance bail and are due in court on June 6.
Details rearding Filardo's court date or bail remains unknown.
