Judge: Ohio church day care worker endangered kids by putting sleep supplement in their candy

Ohio woman guilty of giving kids sleep supplement

CINCINNATI — A former Ohio church day care worker has been found guilty of endangering children by slipping an over-the-counter dietary supplement into candy to help them sleep.

Prosecutors say a Hamilton County Municipal Court judge on Thursday found the woman guilty of three counts each of child endangering and misrepresentation by a child care provider.

The 56-year-old woman could be sentenced to up to 18 months behind bars.

The woman directed a suburban Cincinnati church day care. She and a co-worker were fired and charged after another worker said they gave melatonin to children at nap time.

The naturally occurring hormone helps control sleep cycles. Possible side effects of the supplement form include dizziness and nightmares.

Parents say their children often seemed groggy after coming home from the day care.