A Dunellen daycare owner is facing criminal charges after state investigators discovered she allegedly gave melatonin supplements to toddlers during naptime without their parents' knowledge or permission.
Cheryl Ambicki, 57, who operates Precious Gifts Care Center located at St. Francis Episcopal Church, was charged with endangering-abuse/neglect of a child by care. According to prosecutors, she administered 10 mg of the over-the-counter sleep supplement to at least two children — a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old — at the facility.
The case came to light after the New Jersey Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit alerted the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office about the alleged conduct. Four employees at the center confirmed to investigators that Ambicki had given the children melatonin and stored the supplement in a drawer in her desk.
What makes the allegations particularly troubling is what prosecutors say happened next: before administrators arrived at the daycare, Ambicki allegedly instructed her staff to hide the melatonin.
For parents who entrust their youngest children to daycare providers, this case raises serious questions about consent and safety. An attorney representing one of the affected families described the parents as "livid" about the situation, according to ABC 7 Eyewitness News.
While melatonin can be purchased without a prescription to help with sleep issues in both children and adults, medical experts urge caution. The Mayo Clinic recommends that parents consult with a doctor before giving melatonin to a child — a step that prosecutors say was never taken in this case, as the parents weren't even informed.
The incident underscores the importance of transparency and communication between childcare providers and families. Any medication or supplement — even those available over the counter — should only be administered to children with explicit parental consent and, ideally, medical guidance.
Court documents do not list an attorney for Ambicki at this time. The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors work to determine whether additional children may have been affected.
