You’ll want to know exactly what happened and why it matters if someone in a childcare setting gave medication to toddlers without permission. The incident involves a daycare worker charged after allegedly giving chewable laxatives to multiple young children, and the article breaks down the charges, timeline, and immediate actions taken by authorities and the facility. If your child could have been affected or you care about safety standards at childcare centers, this explains who’s accused, what the alleged harm was, and why parents and providers are reacting strongly.
Expect clear details about the alleged events, the misdemeanor charges brought by local prosecutors, and how officials confirmed the reports through multiple parents and the daycare’s response. The piece also examines the short-term health effects on infants and toddlers and what steps families and childcare programs can take to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
Details of the Incident and Charges
Multiple parents reported that several toddlers at a St. Charles daycare were given chewable laxatives without consent, prompting a police investigation and criminal charges against an employee. Authorities identified the worker as a 23-year-old from Sycamore and say the actions occurred during a morning shift at The Learning Experience on West Main Street.
Timeline and How Authorities Were Alerted
Parents began calling the St. Charles Police Department on the morning of February 3, 2026, after their children showed symptoms and caregivers disclosed that medication had been handed out. Police say the initial calls came within a short window, which led officers to respond quickly to the daycare location.
Officers confirmed the reports after speaking with parents and facility staff. Multiple media outlets, including a CBS Chicago report, cite the same sequence: parental concern, police notification, and an on-site investigation by St. Charles police.
Alleged Actions by Yizel J. Juarez
Police allege Yizel J. Juarez told toddlers the chewable laxatives were candy and administered them to children two years old or younger. Investigators say the motive, according to staff statements relayed to media, was to get certain children sent home because the teacher felt overwhelmed.
The children affected experienced gastrointestinal symptoms afterwards, and at least one parent reported ongoing issues that required medical follow-up. Juarez was identified by police and later turned herself in to authorities after charges were reviewed with the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Charges Filed and Legal Process
Juarez faces three counts each of attempted aggravated battery causing bodily harm to a victim under the age of 13 and three counts of endangering the life or health of a child, both charged as misdemeanors. Officials say the St. Charles Police Department filed charges after consulting prosecutors.
She was released from custody after turning herself in and awaits a court date for the misdemeanor allegations. The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office will handle prosecution; court filings and any scheduled appearances will provide details on potential pleas, discovery, and pretrial proceedings.
The Learning Experience’s Response
The Learning Experience daycare in St. Charles immediately terminated Juarez the morning authorities were contacted, according to statements reported by local outlets. The center told parents it had fired the employee and cooperated with investigators while notifying families.
Facility officials emphasized child safety and said they were assisting the St. Charles Police Department. Media coverage, including reports referenced by Fox 32 and CBS Chicago, quotes parents and officials describing the facility’s response and the steps taken after the allegations surfaced.
Impact on Children, Families, and Childcare Practices
Immediate physical signs, parental trust, facility policies, and available community supports all shape the response when a caregiver gives medication or laxatives without consent. Short-term symptoms, family reactions, policy changes, and where parents can get help determine next steps for children’s safety and recovery.
Health Effects and Symptoms Experienced by Toddlers
Toddlers who receive melatonin, chewable laxatives, or other medications without consent can show nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or excessive sleepiness within hours. For laxatives, watch for sudden diarrhea, abdominal cramping, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalance; constipation followed by laxative use can cause painful stools or incontinence.
Young children dehydrate quickly, so caregivers should monitor urine output and skin turgor and seek medical care for persistent vomiting or bloody stools. Emergency personnel may test electrolytes or administer IV fluids. Documenting symptoms and timing helps clinicians and investigators link the event to the exposure.
Parental Response and Emotional Toll
Parents often report shock, anger, and loss of trust toward the childcare provider after learning a child received unauthorized medication. Many pursue immediate medical evaluation and demand records, video, or witness statements from the facility.
Emotional effects can include anxiety around future separations, sleep disruption for parents and children, and financial strain from medical bills or legal action. Families may call the local child protective services or the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline for guidance and to report concerns about child endangerment.
Policy Review and Safeguards in Childcare Facilities
Childcare centers must have written medication policies requiring signed parental consent, locked medication storage, and staff training on dosage, age-appropriate products, and documentation. Facilities often implement two-staff verification for any medication administered and explicit logs noting time, dose, and parent notification.
Licensing bodies and centers may revise background check frequency, install cameras in common areas, and run targeted training on signs of abuse and proper handling of laxatives or chewable medications. Failure to follow protocols can result in citations for endangering the life or health of a child and grounds for termination or criminal referral.
Community Resources and Support
Families can contact local child protective services, their pediatrician, or emergency departments for immediate health and safety help. For crisis counseling and reporting, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline offers 24/7 support and referrals at 1-800-4-A-CHILD; local hotlines and police also accept reports of suspected child abuse.
Nonprofits and university extension programs, including resources from early childhood education departments at institutions like Northern Illinois University, provide training for caregivers and materials for parents on safe medication practices. Legal aid, victim advocacy groups, and support groups help families navigate medical, licensing, and criminal procedures after an incident.
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