An employee at a Georgia daycare facility is facing criminal charges after allegedly giving toddlers drugs before nap time, authorities said.
The teacher at Forsyth Methodist Church daycare was charged with three counts of misdemeanor reckless conduct in connection to the March 5 incident, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Online jail records show the teacher remained in custody Tuesday without a bond set.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies were tipped off on Sunday by another employee of the church daycare that a worker was allegedly giving Benadryl to children “to make them sleepy for their nap time.”
“These children were approximately 2 and a half years old,” the office said in a statement.
Children under the age of 6 should not take Benadryl, except for those aged 2 to 5 who have received directions from a doctor, the medication’s website notes.
USA TODAY has reached out to Forsyth Methodist Church, which is about 60 miles southeast of Atlanta.
Investigators say daycare worker gave children Benadryl
Authorities said a coworker saw the teacher give Benadryl to the children and reported it to the daycare director, who did not report the incident until March 9 at 8 pm.
Officials said they received the tip only after Facebook posts were made about the incident.
“After reviewing the video footage and speaking with witnesses, it was found that (the teacher) had been giving the medication to the children,” the sheriff’s office wrote in the press release.
Law enforcement said the teacher turned herself in on Monday.
The incident remained under investigation Tuesday. Officials said more charges could be filed against the teacher and additional suspects could be charged.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
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