Tonya Voris, the former director of a church day care in Indiana, was arrested last week after allegations that she handed out pediatric strength melatonin gummies to young children, The New York Times reports.
The children ranged from one to four years old, and allegedly consumed the gummies for several weeks at the Kidz Life Childcare Ministry day care. The practice began after one parent gave consent to administer gummies to their child to help them sleep.
But Voris, 52, continued to provide the gummies to over a dozen children, who ranged in age from one to four. The directions note the gummies are intended for children aged four and up.
Voris “was pleased with the effects of the melatonin and began administering the melatonin to a large number of other children without parental consent,” an affidavit states.
Parents, however, reported that their children experienced a range of symptoms, including a one-year-old who developed a skin rash, the Times reports.
Pastor David M. Faulk of New Life Church reported Voris to police, and she was released on a $15,000 bond.
Voris has since been fired.
