Parents dropping off their kids at a St. Charles daycare on Tuesday morning thought they were in for a normal day. Instead, several say their infants were given a chewable laxative, a decision that has now landed a 23-year-old daycare worker in criminal court.
Police identified three victims, all under the age of 2, and charged Yizel J. Juarez with misdemeanor counts of aggravated battery and endangering the life of a child. She was later released from police custody while the investigation continues.
How police say it unfolded
According to CBS News, officers were alerted just before 9:45 a.m. after multiple parents reported that their children had been given a chewable laxative at a daycare in the 2400 block of West Main Street. The outlet reports that Juarez turned herself in, was charged in connection with three young victims under 2 years old, and was then released as the investigation moves forward.
What the charges mean in Illinois
Under Illinois law, endangering the life or health of a child is defined as knowingly causing or permitting a child’s life or health to be endangered. It is typically charged as a Class A misdemeanor, according to the state statute. Aggravated battery can apply when serious bodily harm is caused to a child and carries stiffer penalties. The text of the state criminal code explains how those offenses are classified and punished. For details, readers are directed to the Illinois statute on endangerment and the state code on aggravated battery as published online by legal-code resources.
What daycares are supposed to do
Day care centers in Illinois operate under licensing standards that require them to maintain written policies, keep records and report suspected child abuse or neglect to the state hotline. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services oversees the Part 407 licensing rules, which set out safety requirements and reporting responsibilities for day care centers.
Why laxatives are risky for infants
Medical guidance notes that laxative overdose can cause diarrhea, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, risks that are more pronounced in very young children. Product labeling and pediatric guidance typically recommend chewable or other over-the-counter laxatives for children age 2 and older. Medical sources caution that magnesium-containing or other laxatives can produce serious symptoms in infants, and parents who suspect an ingestion are advised to contact Poison Control or seek medical care.
The St. Charles Police Department has said the case remains under investigation, and local licensing or child-welfare authorities may also review the facility as that probe proceeds. We contacted the city and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for comment and will update this story with any new official statements.
