An Illinois daycare teacher has been arrested after being accused of giving laxatives to children at the center where she worked.
According to the St. Charles Police Department, multiple parents reported to police that their children were allegedly given chewable laxatives by a daycare teacher at The Learning Experience daycare center in St. Charles, Illinois, at approximately 9:43 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3.
Police investigated the reports and “confirmed the incident and identified three teenage victims, each of whom was two years old or younger,” according to a statement obtained by police. people.
Izel J. Juarez He was subsequently arrested and charged with three counts of attempted aggravated battery causing bodily harm to a victim under 13 years of age and three counts of endangering the life or health of a child. All the charges she faces are misdemeanors.
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Juarez turned himself in to the St. Charles Police Department, police said. She was subsequently arrested and given a court date before being released.
It was unclear whether Juarez had entered a plea or retained legal representation following his arrest.
Police ask anyone with information about the incident to contact the St. Charles Police Department Investigative Division at (630) 377-4435.
There was no immediate response from the St. Charles Police Department. US WeeklyRequested comment on Juarez’s arrest.
After Juarez was arrested, several parents at the day care center said they were upset by the incident.
“My child is still suffering from constipation, and the doctor said it’s a side effect of the laxatives, a side effect of coming off the laxatives,” one parent told CBS News. “Who knows what the long-term effects of this will be?”
The parent explained that her 17-month-old child has been attending The Learning Experience since the summer of 2025, which is around the same time Juarez was hired.
She added that her child had been sent home from day care at least three times in the two months after suffering diarrhea.
“We thought it might be a virus and the results came back negative, but he hasn’t been diagnosed with any stomach issues or anything else,” she said of the child’s health concerns.
The mother also reflected on the news of Juarez’s firing. “We learned from the supervisor that she had fired her employees because she allegedly gave them these laxatives and said it was candy … so they could be sent home because she was overwhelmed,” she said. “That’s disgusting. Then find another job.”
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Meanwhile, the child’s father said he had “no words” to say about the experience. “Just thinking your child would be safe at day care and then you come and find this surprise,” he said. “It’s sad. It’s devastating.”
Laxatives are often given to children and adults to relieve constipation. However, laxatives have side effects that may harm children or make them sick.
Laxatives can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, electrolyte imbalances, dehydration and dependence problems in children, according to Begin Health.
“Parents must discuss the risks of laxatives with their healthcare provider and monitor their children closely for any adverse reactions,” the website adds.