Midwest
Indiana day care director sentenced to six-month jail sentence after giving children melatonin gummies
A former Indiana day care director was recently sentenced to six months in jail after she gave melatonin gummies to children without parental consent.
Tonya Rachelle Voris, 53, was charged with 11 felony counts of neglect of a dependent and six misdemeanor counts of reckless supervision by a child care provider last year. She pleaded guilty Friday and was sentenced to half a year in jail.
Voris fed the children gummies so they could sleep during nap time in her care. She worked at the Kidz Life Childcare Ministry at New Life Church in Cumberland, outside of Indianapolis.
WISCONSIN’S GOP-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE VOTES TO END FUNDING FOR PANDEMIC-ERA CHILD CARE PROGRAM
Seventeen children, ranging from infants to 4-year-olds, ate the gummies.
Tonya Rachelle Voris, 53, was charged with 11 felony counts of neglect of a dependent after she gave youngsters melatonin gummies to sleep. (Hancock County Jail/Getty Images )
According to the affidavit, a parent originally asked Voris to give her child pediatric-strength melatonin to help her sleep at nap time.
Voris was satisfied with how well the gummies worked, and promptly began administering them to children without parental consent.
The children allegedly experienced side effects, although the specific symptoms are unclear.
“Voris dispensed the melatonin gummies to forcefully induce sleep in several children for her personal gain in not having to deal with fussy or problematic children who would not sleep during naptime which was characterized by several staff members as their break-time,” court documents obtained by FOX 59 read.
STAFFING SHORTAGES, LOW PAY CONTINUE TO CHALLENGE CHILD CARE INDUSTRY
Voris worked at at the Kidz Life Childcare Ministry at New Life Church in Cumberland. (Google Maps)
A pastor at the church contacted the Cumberland Metropolitan Police Department after another day care employee told him about the incident. At the time, Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton noted that the gummies had a range of side effects that necessitated parental knowledge.
“There are many side effects of OTC medications and those can impact individuals in a variety of ways depending on any other health conditions, medications, and other supplements present, which is why it’s imperative parents always give express permission for any medication to be given,” Eaton said, according to FOX 59.
Sleep aids, some of which are melatonin gummies, are displayed for sale in a store on April 26, 2023, in Miami, Florida (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Voris resided in Fortville, Indiana at the time and now lives in Dade City, Florida. She was immediately taken into custody after her sentencing on Friday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Read the full article from Here
Cleveland, OH
Wide spread power outages plaguing Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Thousands of FirstEnergy and Cleveland Public Power customers are without power in the city of Cleveland.
Check CPP’s and FirstEnergy’s websites for the latest information on the outages.
As temperatures remain at extreme levels, Cleveland Public Power is responding to isolated service interruptions caused by equipment working harder during periods of sustained high demand.
— ClevelandPublicPower (@clepublicpower) June 30, 2026
The outages are mostly located from downtown Cleveland to the westside.
19 News has reached out to Cleveland Public Power and FirstEnergy for more information on the outages but have yet to hear back.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Illinois
U.S. Supreme Court rejects effort to end birthright citizenship; Illinois advocates relieved
Indiana
Officials urge water safety amid ‘alarming’ number of drownings
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Fire responders say Marion County has seen an “alarming” number of drownings this year
The Indianapolis Fire Department and an Indiana Conservation Officer explain what to know for those planning on being on the water this holiday weekend.
Frank’s Paddlesports Livery is gearing up for one of their busiest weekends this fourth of July.
“This weekend is booked up, not completely sold out, we’d love to have you,” Peter Bloomquist, owner and operator at Frank’s Paddlesports Livery, said.
Visitors will receive a safety course first because with the fun comes some risk.
“Summer is heating up. People are getting in the water, and with that, we are starting to see those accidental drownings. They’re coming from boat-related, they’re coming from people just swimming in retention ponds, and so it’s just imperative that everyone uses some common sense and some safety guidelines if they’re going to get in the water,” Indiana Conservation Officer Lieutenant Angela Goldman said.
This year, Marion County has already seen nine fatal drownings and three non-fatal drownings, where people were successfully resuscitated. First responders call it an astounding number. Last year, the county had six.
“As a father, my heart just breaks for these families who experience loss,” Bryan Fleck, dive commander for the Indianapolis Fire Department said.
Take it from first responders.
“The easiest way and the best way to take care of your loved ones is to wear a life jacket. Wear a PFD,” he said.
“Even if you are a good swimmer, we see drownings all the time with people who say, ‘I don’t understand how this happened. He was a good swimmer.’ hese accidents happen. It’s fast. There are a lot of different things that can happen to a person when they’re in the water. Absoltely number one is wear a life jacket,” Lieutenant Goldman said.
First responders also urge people to limit alcohol and always have someone watching the water.
“If your children are around water, always make sure a responsible adult is watching your children,” Fleck.
Rain is also creating higher water levels.
“Don’t take some of these small, big box store kayaks out onto a swollen river. They’re not made for that, and you’re going to get yourself in trouble,” Lieutenant Goldman said.
Back on the White River, Bloomquist, and his team are ready for a fun Fourth of July weekend, with safety first.
“So, it’s just so important that everyone watches their kids, watches themselves, makes sure that you have those life jackets on and stay safe on the water,” Lieutenant Goldman said.
First responders said activating an app called, what3words is very helpful if you go missing in the water. You provide the 911 dispatcher with three words, and first responders can find you anywhere in the world, in any body of water.
First responders also say the Friends of the White River website is also helpful in navigating the water.
-
Cleveland, OH2 minutes agoWide spread power outages plaguing Cleveland
-
Austin, TX5 minutes agoThree of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders arrested in Houston, Plano, and Hidalgo
-
Alabama10 minutes agoFormer Alabama wide receiver on pace to go from good to ‘truly elite’ in the upcoming NFL season
-
Alaska17 minutes agoAlaska moves to award $350M contract to replace 62-year-old Tustumena ferry
-
Arizona20 minutes agoWhat areas are affected by the Pocket Fire near Oak Creek Canyon?
-
Arkansas25 minutes agoNorthwest Arkansas-based Community Clinic aims to acquire multiple Baptist Health-Fort Smith clinics | River Valley Democrat-Gazette
-
California32 minutes agoBillionaire tax measure heads to California’s November ballot, with Kern County watching
-
Colorado35 minutes agoSmokey skies and critical fire danger conditions continue in southern Colorado