Laura Putnam was shocked to find out that her sons had been given melatonin supplements at the day care center they attended in Maine. After learning from a former employee that her children, as well as others, had been given the supplement without her permission, she was devastated. Other parents, doctors, and lawmakers are also raising concerns about the practice of giving melatonin to young children without parental consent, citing potential risks and lack of proper study on its effects.
Maine state law allows day care centers to give children melatonin with parental consent, but it is not illegal to do so without that consent. In this case, the Department of Health and Human Services launched an investigation into the allegations of abuse, neglect, and licensing violations at Apple Blossom Childcare. While initially finding that Putnam’s son was a victim of abuse and neglect, the agency later overturned its findings, stating insufficient evidence.
The daycare owner, Alison Lakin, is appealing the violations of day care licensing rules, while Putnam is frustrated with what she sees as a lack of accountability for mistreating children. Meanwhile, a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found an increase in calls to poison control centers related to melatonin use in children. Pediatricians caution against using melatonin in children under 5 due to lack of long-term studies on its effects.
Maine state Senator Teresa Pierce is introducing a bill that would require day care operators to notify parents if their centers are under investigation, aiming to increase transparency and protect children. Putnam hopes to see stronger consequences for mistreatment of children and feels let down by the lack of accountability in her case.
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