‘Saying that it was candy’: Day care worker was giving toddlers laxatives so they would get sent home

ST. CHARLES, Ill. — A day care teacher in St. Charles, Illinois, has been charged after allegedly giving several toddlers laxatives, telling the children that the medication was candy.

Yizel Juarez, 23, faces three counts each of attempted aggravated battery causing bodily harm to a child under 13 and endangering the life or health of a child. Both charges are misdemeanors.

According to the St. Charles Police Department, officers were contacted around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday by multiple parents reporting that their children at The Learning Experience day care had been given chewable laxatives by a staff member. Police confirmed that the incidents occurred.

All of the affected children were 2 years old or younger.

After identifying Juarez as the suspect and consulting with the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, police brought the charges. Juarez surrendered to authorities and was released.

One parent of a 17-month-old child told Chicago-based CBS affiliate WBBM that her child has experienced ongoing diarrhea for two months. “My child was still suffering from constipation, which the doctor said was going to be a side effect of coming off the laxatives,” the parent said.

The parent added that the day care director informed them that Juarez had been fired for allegedly giving the laxatives to children while claiming they were candy, apparently so the children would be sent home because she felt overwhelmed. “It’s disgusting. Get another job then,” the parent said.

Police say Juarez has an upcoming court date, though the specific date has not been released. Authorities are asking anyone with additional information about the incidents to come forward.

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