MORGAN HILL, Calif.- A Central Coast childcare teacher, with 20 years of experience is accused of trying to drug the toddlers she was paid to take care of. We're learning more about the startling investigation into the former teacher from Hollister.
59-year-old Deborah Gratz was fired from Kiddie Academy Childcare in Morgan Hill on Monterey Road last Friday, after being accused of putting unknown substances in the children's drinks. On Tuesday, police said Gratz may have put sleeping aids into children's sippy cups. Police said when Gratz was confronted by a co-worker she said the substance was Sominex.
"That's my son's favorite teacher, he always asked for her," said parent Maria Esparza.
Esparza talked about her two year old son who loves Ms. Gratz, the same teacher arrested on Monday and accused of child endangerment. A manager on duty at Kiddie Academy said an email, a phone call and a printed letter were sent to parents on Monday, telling them Ms. Gratz had been fired for reportedly adding a substance to 10 sippy cups for kids between one and two years old. Police said at-first the center tried to deal with the situation internally but ended up calling law enforcement three days later.
"She worked Monday through Friday and 10 children were under her care, different number of kids at different times," said Morgan Hill Police Sergeant Troy Hoefling.
To make matters more complicated, police said the center dumped the water down the drain, when it could have been used as evidence to determine if the water was actually contaminated and the specific substance. Police said none of the toddlers drank the allegedly contaminated water on Friday. But they're investigating whether this has happened before.
"What we would like to know is, is there any tell-tale signs that they've seen now that they know, were their kids excessively tired or lethargic?" said Sgt. Hoefling.
The active ingredient in Sominex is diphenhydramine and can be used as a sleep-aid. You can buy it over-the-counter at drugstores and according to Drugstore.com it shouldn't be given to anyone under 12 years old. Parents we spoke with said they're concerned but are confident the center is taking the right steps to handle the situation.
"My son just went and moved up to the two year old class. But we started in that class," Esparza said.
Police said the Santa Clara District Attorney's office will review the entire case to see if the center did anything inappropriate. Kiddie Academy said it's working closely with police and California State Childcare Licensing as they continue to investigate.
