Melatonin, an over-the-counter drug often taken as a sedative, has reportedly been given to children at day-care centers, sometimes without parental permission. Blaze News investigated the issue to get a better understanding of the scope of the problem. We also spoke with Cindy Lehnhoff, the director of the National Child Care Association, to learn what parents can do to protect their children and ensure they are placed in a safe facility.
Background on melatonin
Melatonin is a naturally occurring substance in the human body that, among other things, helps regulate sleep patterns, according to WebMD. In synthetic form, melatonin is relatively inexpensive and readily available. It can even be taken in a gummy or other forms of candy, which are especially attractive to children.
One former day-care director was even sentenced to about six months in jail following her conviction on 17 charges related to neglect and reckless supervision.
