Georgia Daycare teacher charged for allegedly drugging toddlers at naptime

An employee at Forsyth Methodist Church daycare faces criminal charges after allegedly administering Benadryl to toddlers to induce sleep during naptime, according to Monroe County Sheriff's Office officials.

The teacher has been charged with three counts of misdemeanor reckless conduct following the March 5 incident. As of Tuesday, jail records indicated she remained in custody without bond.

Deputies began investigating after receiving a tip on Sunday from another daycare employee who reported that her coworker had been giving Benadryl to children "to make them sleepy for their nap time." The affected children were approximately two and a half years old.

According to the medication's website, children under six should not take Benadryl, with exceptions only for those between ages two and five who have received specific instructions from a physician.

Authorities stated that a coworker witnessed the teacher administering Benadryl to the children and reported it to the daycare director. However, the director did not report the incident until March 9 at 8 pm, and officials only received the tip after Facebook posts about the situation began circulating.

"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 stated in their press release.

Law enforcement officials confirmed that the teacher turned herself in on Monday. The investigation continues, with the possibility of additional charges against the teacher and potential charges against other suspects.

Forsyth Methodist Church daycare is located approximately 60 miles southeast of Atlanta.