New Hampshire
Daycare owner, employees arrested in New Hampshire for secretly feeding children melatonin
A daycare owner and three of her employees turned themselves in on child endangerment charges in New Hampshire after investigators said they were sprinkling melatonin on children’s food, Manchester Police said.
Daycare owner Sally Dreckmann, 52, and her employees Traci Innie, 51, Kaitlin Filardo, 23 and Jessica Foster, 23, of Manchester were taken into police custody after a lengthy investigation led by the Manchester Police Juvenile Division determined that they were lacing children’s food with melatonin without the consent and knowledge of their parents, the Manchester Police said Thursday.
“All four were charged with 10 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child,” police said.
Authorities said that an investigation into the case was initiated in November 2023 after “detectives received a report alleging unsafe practices going on in an in-home daycare” in west Manchester.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing and the police have not yet detailed the course of action.
What is melatonin?
Melatonin is a “hormone that your brain produces in response to darkness,” according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), that helps with sleep.
“Melatonin supplements may help with certain conditions, such as jet lag, delayed sleep-wake phase disorder, some sleep disorders in children, and anxiety before and after surgery,” the NCCIH says.
While short-term use of melatonin supplements is considered to be safe for most people, the NCCIH recommends parents to consult a health care provider before administering it to their children as “use of over-the-counter melatonin might place children and teenagers at risk for accidental or intentional overdose.” However, information on the long-term effects of melatonin use in children is limited and parents are advised to exercise caution.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.
New Hampshire
Photo Exhibit | Art Talk | Crew Competition | Nashua Genealogy Club | More: Week Ahead Events
NASHUA, NH — Here is the week ahead roundup.
Get out, New Hampshire.
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Join us for a community conversation exploring how land conservation supports thriving communities, healthy ecosystems, and local economies. Recent research from Maine highlights the growing economic value of conserved lands — from supporting recreation, forestry, agriculture, and tourism to protecting clean water, storing carbon, and strengthening climate resilience. The findings reveal something important: protecting natural landscapes is not only good for the environment, but also for the people and communities that depend on them.
Together, we’ll explore what this research means both regionally and here at home. How do conserved lands shape our quality of life, local economy, and sense of place? How can communities balance growth, conservation, and long-term sustainability? And what role can each of us play in protecting the landscapes that support both nature and people?
At each “Let’s Talk Nature” gathering, we share a short article in advance and come together for an informal, welcoming discussion. Each session stands on its own, and everyone is welcome. No expertise needed. Bring your curiosity and a willingness to listen and share. Drinks and cookies provided.
Read this session’s article: Conserved Land in Maine has Growing Economic Power
Grey Rocks Conservation Center
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM on Wed, 1 Jul 2026
Event Supported By
Newfound Lake Region Association
603-744-8689
info@NewfoundLake.org
High winds and widespread rain contributed to more than 12,000 power outages Saturday as a low pressure system passes over New Hampshire.
A high wind advisory remains in effect for southeastern New Hampshire until midday.
There is a high surf advisory in effect for the Seacoast area until 8 p.m. Saturday, with large-breaking waves in the range of 6-9 feet, according to the National Weather Service.
The forecast warns of dangerous wintry winds for hikers and campers, with heavy wet snow likely at higher elevations and a foot of snow possible on summits in the White Mountains.
In southeastern New Hampshire, the wind advisory calls for steady winds of 15-25 mph, and potential wind gusts up to 50 mph.
Eversource reported over 10,000 outages as of 9:30 a.m. Unitil had about 1,400 outages at that time.
The Mount Washington Observatory has recorded winterlike weather over the past 24 hours. Weather observers there say over half a foot of snow and sleet has fallen at the summit.
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