Another week, another shocking daycare story you won't believe. According to Fox 16 News, two daycare workers in Little Rock, Arkansas, were fired after allegations surfaced that they gave melatonin to young children to get them to nap. The daycare's director confirmed the claims to the news station, adding that the workers were dismissed the same day the allegations were made and that a subsequent report was filed with the Child Abuse Hotline.
The incident, which happened at Full Potential Child Development Center, was first reported by a staff member who witnessed it happening.
The worker at the center of the claims allegedly handed out melatonin gummies to the kids — who were probably excited to eat what they thought was candy — before nap time on one occasion. When later confronted by the daycare's executive director, the worker denied handed out gummies and in fact insisted that it was candy they passed around.
But during a further investigation, another staff member confirmed the allegations to be true, and denied having any involvement.
Both staff members — the one who gave the kids melatonin and the second worker who failed to report it — were promptly fired.
Meanwhile, parents at the daycare were shocked after being informed of the incident -- and understandably, angry.
"We thought it was a pretty good establishment," said Kerri Miller, whose 2-year-old son was one of the children affected. "We're a good family. We don't abuse our kids," Miller told Fox 16. "The last thing we want is for someone else to abuse our kids."
Incredibly, this isn't the first time a daycare has come under fire for the same claims.
Back in March 2018, three daycare workers were fired from Kiddie Junction Daycare Center in Chicago after it was discovered they gave a group of 2-year-olds melatonin to "calm them down."
At the time, the workers all said they thought they did nothing wrong because melatonin is an over the counter sleep aid they thought was harmless.
But needless to say, giving kids any kind of sleep aid -- "natural" or not -- without their parents' consent is a major breach of conduct.
(Not to mention a violation of trust.)
According to Healthline, melatonin is a hormone that "helps you fall asleep by setting your internal clock," and is often used by adults to combat issues like jet lag, insomnia, and other sleep disorders caused by mental health issues. But while there's good evidence to suggest it helps kids fall asleep too, it's not advised any parent give their kids melatonin without consulting their pediatrician first.
For now, the daycare center has reportedly taken all the appropriate steps in handling the incident, but for some parents, that's just not enough.
"If somebody's sneaking that in or bringing that in, who knows what else?" Miller told Fox 16. "They may have passed a background check, but you never truly know what's in their hearts."
Also of note is the fact that Full Potential Child Development Center was cited for five violations the last time the Department of Human Services (DHS) swung in for an on-site visit, back in June 2018. Those violations weren't minor, either — they reportedly included not keeping medicine out of reach of small children and storing chemicals or toxins in easily accessible food areas.
As Miller told Fox 16, his son is still at the daycare center, but he's feverishly searching for a new one that fits his needs — and gives him way more peace of mind. Other parents are no doubt doing the same.
