Des Plaines day care workers charged after kids allegedly given Melatonin-laced Gummy Bears

Monday, March 5, 2018
DES PLAINES, Ill. -- Three teachers have been charged after police said they distributed gummy bears with melatonin to kids without parental consent at a Des Plaines day care center last Friday.

RELATED: Moms say daycare worker waxed their kids' unibrows

Officers arrived Friday afternoon to the Kiddie Junction Daycare Center at 1619 E. Oakton Street after a report of a suspicious incident. Police said that gummy bears with melatonin were given to a class of 2 year olds to get them to calm down before nap time without parental authorization.
[Ads /]
Police said that three teachers admitted distributing melatonin to the children and did not think it was inappropriate as they were an over-the-counter sleep aid.

RELATED: Video reveals day care worker pushing 4-year-old down stairs

The parents of each child at the daycare were contacted by police about the situation.
[Ads /]
Three teachers, 32-year-old Kristen Lauletta of Niles, 19-year-old Jessica Heyse of Des Plaines and 25-year-old Ashley Helfenbein of Chicago, have each been charged with two counts of endangering the life or health of a child and two counts of battery. The teachers are scheduled to appear in court on April 4.

RELATED: Mom furious after daycare worker allegedly breastfed her son

Police said the management of Kiddie Junction were helpful and assisted with the investigation.
Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.