United States: Laura Putnam never imagined her sons were being given melatonin supplements while attending Apple Blossom Childcare in Falmouth, Maine. As reported by NBC News, she had deliberately avoided using melatonin and never approved anyone else to administer it. But in August, a former daycare employee told her that melatonin gummies were routinely given to children — including her 4-year-old son at the time, as reported by NBC News.
When asked, her son said the gummies made him sleepy and confirmed that his younger brother received them “every day.” Putnam showed her younger child a photo of melatonin gummies — he immediately recognized the bottle and named the provider who gave it to him.
Text Messages Confirm Supplement Use
Another parent, Lindsay Corcoran, revealed that texts between the former staffer and the daycare owner mentioned her daughter’s name in connection with melatonin distribution. Corcoran, who never gave consent, was devastated. “Absolute shock” was how she described reading that her child had unknowingly been given a supplement.
Expert Warnings Against Unapproved Use
Health experts strongly advise against administering melatonin to young children without medical supervision or parental permission. The lack of long-term research, especially on children under age five, makes its use controversial. Pediatrician Dr. Rebecca Fisk emphasized the risks:
“We’re putting something unknown in a toddler’s body… We don’t know what it does to growth and development.”
According to the CDC, melatonin-related poison control calls involving children have sharply increased over the past decade.
Investigation, Abuse Determination, and Reversal
In August Putnam submitted a complaint to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. The agency declared months after the complaint that the child was subjected to abuse or neglect. The DHHS took the contrary decision in February because they found insufficient data to support their original ruling.
Apple Blossom owner Alison Lakin has appealed the licensing violations and defended her center’s reputation, stating:
“Apple Blossom Childcare has earned and enjoyed an impeccable reputation for years…”
Still, for Putnam, the reversal was troubling.
“Giving nonverbal toddlers melatonin without parental approval and while they’re awake… that doesn’t make sense to me.”
Lawmakers Push for Reform
Maine State Senator Teresa Pierce is introducing legislation that would require daycares to notify parents if they’re under investigation.
“We need to protect kids, and parents need to be informed,” Pierce said. “My bill will create more transparency moving forward.”
Parents Demand Accountability
Putnam continues to advocate for stricter consequences for child care providers who act without parental consent, as reported by NBC News.
“I would like to see some repercussions for mistreating children, and I don’t feel like that has happened in my case.”