Georgia daycare shut down for drugging children

A daycare in Georgia has been shut down after allegations that staff gave toddlers Benadryl to help them sleep. Three people have been arrested in connection with the case. The daycare, located at Forsyth Methodist Church, is about 60 miles from Atlanta. The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) issued an emergency closure order due to serious safety violations. This decision came after a teacher, Kendasja Hughley, was arrested for reckless conduct. Hughley was reported to have given Benadryl to three 2-year-olds without parental consent on two occasions earlier this month. The daycare director, Cathy Stevick, and another teacher, Shelby Webb, were also arrested. Stevick was charged with failing to report child abuse, while Webb faces charges of simple battery and cruelty to children. Parents noticed their kids were unusually “sluggish” and “not normal” at pick-up times. It was discovered that staff members also yelled at and roughly handled the children during care. Hughley's disciplinary history includes previous inappropriate actions. DECAL stated that the violations put the children's health and safety at risk. The daycare is closed for 21 days, but this period can change if an appeal is filed.