Two Hall County women have been arrested after allegedly dosing children under their care with “elevated levels” of melatonin and Benadryl, according to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
Stacie Fuller Young, 51, who operated a home-based daycare in northern Hall County, and her daughter-in-law, Ptiery Verby-Sunshine Edge, 35, were taken into custody Monday, Jan. 13 and charged with four misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct.
The investigation by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office began on Dec. 18 after a local pediatrician contacted an officer regarding legal advice. That call stemmed from an incident on Dec. 10, when blood work taken from two children allegedly found high-levels of both melatonin and Benadryl in their systems, according to authorities.
That blood work was conducted at the request of a parent “concerned that the children were lethargic, irritable and slept more than usual,” according to authorities.
Police say the children had attended Young’s daycare since November of 2023, with the reported change in behavior beginning in October of 2024.
“The investigation determined the children received daily doses of each medication prior to nap-time at the daycare,” Hall County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson BJ Williams said.
Young and Edge each posted a bond of $5,200 on Monday evening.
