Two women from Gainesville, Georgia, who operated a home-based daycare service, were apprehended by law enforcement after allegations surfaced that they had been administering Benadryl and melatonin, an allergy medication and sleep aid respectively, to the children under their care before nap times. The women, Stacie Fuller Young, 51, and her daughter-in-law, Ptiery Verby-Sunshine Edge, 35, were reportedly running the daycare service about 55 miles northeast of Atlanta.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office reported that the investigation began when a parent of one of the children under their care noticed a change in their child’s behavior in October 2024. The child was described as being “lethargic” and “irritable.” Subsequent blood tests conducted on two of the children in December revealed elevated levels of both Benadryl and melatonin.
B.J. Williams, a spokesperson for the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, informed local news outlet WDUN that the investigation into Young and Edge was initiated in December. He stated, “A local pediatrician had conducted bloodwork on two children at the request of a parent who was worried that the children were lethargic and irritable and had been sleeping more than usual. The bloodwork basically determined that both of those children had elevated levels of both melatonin and Benadryl in their bodies, and the Benadryl levels were described as in the high range.”
The investigation revealed that the children were allegedly being given these medications on a daily basis while under the care of Young and Edge. However, the levels of both medications found in the children’s systems were not considered to be toxic.
According to local ABC affiliate WSB, the children had been attending the daycare since November 2023, but the change in behavior was not noticed until October 2024. WSB also reported that Young was not licensed to operate a daycare for more than two young children, according to the Department of Early Childcare and Learning. Young was issued a cease-and-desist order on Jan. 7, a day after the DECAL investigation began. The investigation is still ongoing.
Young and Edge were arrested on Jan. 13 and charged with four misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct. They both posted $5,200 bail and were subsequently released.