Sheriff: 4 arrested after Melatonin was given to children at daycare in Stewart County
INDIAN MOUND, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Stewart County Sheriff’s Office arrested four Indian Mound daycare workers after children were allegedly given Melatonin.
On March 25, the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office received reports of staffers at Mimi’s Daycare, located at 373 Peachers Lane, receiving Melatonin without their parents’ consent.
“I quit my job and started working at the daycare. I witnessed them giving Melatonin to the children,” Mother Candace Short said. “Shock is like I don’t even know because it’s more than shock; it’s literally devastation.”
After multiple reports from Short and many other parents, the sheriff’s office executed a warrant at the daycare on April 28.
“They also made some disclosures that there was melatonin going on at lunchtime at the daycare center,” Investigator Dana Saltkill said.
Investigators said the workers gave children about double the average dose of the sleeping aid.
“When they would pick them up, they would sleep all the way home and sometimes reports of children staying up most of the night, so their sleeping habits are off,” Saltkill said.
On Thursday, they arrested the following people:
- 45-year-old Jamie Clark - child abuse/neglect, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, tampering with evidence, criminal violations
- 21-Kristin Clark -child abuse/neglect, contributing to the failure of a minor, criminal violations
- 22-year-old Jordan Darnell - child abuse/neglect, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, tampering with evidence, criminal violations
- 21-year-old Ethan Pulley - tampering with evidence
Parents such as Kimberly Bergstrom said the damage has already been done.
“Even hearing that she gave them anything, I would’ve pulled my kids out,” Bergstrom said. “I would’ve been distraught, and hearing the amount that she gave them, I just, I can’t even believe that she’s a mother.”
Social services officials shut down the daycare saying they violated many regulations. Short is just grateful investigators listened and took action.
“I really just don’t know how long it would have gone on or how long it has gone on, for it’s just heartbreaking,” Short said.
Stewart County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the daycare. Anyone with any information should call the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office at 931-232-6863.
Copyright 2022 WSMV. All rights reserved.