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A growing number of parents are expressing outrage and concern over reports that some child care centers have been giving melatonin supplements to children without parental consent. This controversial practice has come to light in Maine, where multiple families claim their children were administered melatonin at a Falmouth day care center, Apple Blossom Childcare, sparking state investigations and public alarm.

Laura Putnam, a mother of two, said she trusted Apple Blossom Childcare with her sons, who were enrolled when they were just toddlers. She never imagined they might be given any supplements, let alone melatonin, which is a hormone the body naturally produces to regulate sleep cycles. Putnam insists she never approved the use of such supplements for her children and was shocked to discover they had been given melatonin gummies.

According to Putnam, the revelation came from a former employee at the center who admitted to dispensing the gummies to children, including Putnam’s older son. She reviewed text messages between this former staffer and the owner of the center, which appeared to confirm the melatonin use. When she asked her son about it, he described how the gummies made him and the other children feel very sleepy. Even her younger son recognized a photo of the supplement bottle and connected it directly to the caregiver.

Another parent, Lindsay Corcoran, shared a similar story. Her daughter attended the same day care, and through the same messages, Corcoran discovered her child had also received melatonin. She expressed deep concern and frustration upon learning this was done without her knowledge or approval.

Medical experts and pediatricians emphasize that while melatonin is commonly used to help manage sleep disorders in adults, its effects on young children are not fully understood, especially with regular use. Melatonin is available over the counter and is often marketed as a natural sleep aid, but many professionals argue that its administration to children should only occur under medical supervision and with explicit parental consent.

The situation in Maine reflects a wider issue. Over the past year, incidents involving unauthorized melatonin use in day care settings have been reported in other states, including New Hampshire, Washington, and Indiana. In one high-profile case, a day care director in Indiana received a jail sentence for giving melatonin gummies to children without informing their parents.

Legally, day care centers in Maine are not prohibited from providing nonprescription supplements like melatonin. However, state regulations do require them to obtain written permission from parents before administering any such substances. Following the complaints, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services initiated an investigation into Apple Blossom Childcare for potential abuse, neglect, and licensing violations. Four months later, the agency concluded that Putnam’s older son was a victim of abuse or neglect.

Receiving that letter was devastating for Putnam. She described a profound sense of guilt and responsibility, feeling as though she had failed to protect her children. The findings underscored the need for transparency and accountability in child care settings, especially when it comes to administering any kind of substance to children.

In response to the investigation, Apple Blossom’s owner, Alison Lakin, appealed the state’s findings. The appeal was successful; the Department of Health and Human Services later overturned its previous conclusion, stating that there was insufficient information to support claims of abuse or neglect.

Despite the reversal, the controversy continues to raise important questions for both parents and lawmakers. Should nonprescription substances like melatonin be allowed in child care centers at all? How can the system ensure that parental rights are respected and that children’s health and safety are protected?

This case has ignited discussions not only in Maine but across the country, as more families come forward with similar concerns and as policymakers consider whether current regulations go far enough to safeguard children in care. Parents are demanding more oversight, clearer rules, and stronger enforcement when it comes to what substances are being given to their children—and when. For now, the incident remains a stark reminder of the critical role trust plays between parents and child care providers. As investigations continue and the debate evolves, families hope for clearer protections and a system that always prioritizes the well-being of the children it serves.