Forsyth daycare teacher arrested, allegedly gave Benadryl to kids to make them sleep

A Forsyth daycare teacher turned herself into law enforcement after she was accused of giving Benadryl to toddlers, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

A co-teacher allegedly witnessed the teacher giving the medicine to children around 2-and-a-half years old on March 5 at Forsyth Methodist Church. Benadryl, or diphenhydramine, should not be given to anyone under 6 years old without a doctor’s supervision, according to its product description.

The witness alleged she attempted “to make them sleepy for their nap time” before lunch, deputies said.

The witness reported the incident to their director, but the director did not report the incident to the daycare company – run by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning’s Bright from the Start program – until three days later, when Facebook posts exposed what allegedly happened, the sheriff’s office said.

The Bright from the Start program requires a director to report all instances of child abuse, neglect or deprivation within 24 hours or by the next work day, according to its rules and regulations handbook.

“After reviewing the video footage and speaking with witnesses, it was found that (the teacher) had been giving the medication to the children,” deputies said.

The sheriff’s office took out warrants on her and she turned herself into the sheriff’s office on Monday. She was charged with reckless conduct, and more charges may be pending, deputies said.

Additional suspects may be charged as the incident was still under investigation Tuesday morning.

This story was originally published March 11, 2025 at 10:50 AM.