Barrington Police and DCYF are investigating a Barrington daycare where an employee allegedly gave melatonin gummies to children.

According to multiple media reports, an employee at Kids Quarters on Bay Spring Avenue gave melatonin gummies to children at the daycare. The owner of the daycare, identified as Nicole Kopka, issued a statement to media outlets. 

“At Kids Quarters, the safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority and one we take extremely seriously. In keeping with that priority, we have a zero-tolerance policy for teaching staff that do not uphold these standards. The employee in question – who passed a rigorous background check process pursuant to state law - was swiftly and appropriately terminated effective immediately, and Kids Quarters owners have been in contact with the student’s parents.”

Damaris Teixeira, the public information officer with Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families, shared a statement with the Barrington Times.

“DCYF can confirm that we received a report regarding this incident and are conducting an investigation into this incident. The Department cannot comment further on the status of its investigation due to confidentiality. DCYF did notify the Department of Human Services, as well as, the Barrington Police Department about this incident.”

Barrington Police Chief Michael Correia said his department received a phone call from DCYF at about 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9, regarding DCYF's investigation. The Barrington Police Department immediately began its own investigation — officials have interviewed the business owner, employees at the daycare, and parents of children who go to the daycare.

“We’ve identified four toddlers under the age of four,” Chief Correia said, referring to children who were given melatonin gummies. 

Chief Correia said the incident occurred on Jan. 5. He also said that the daycare’s owner is cooperating with the investigation. 

Chief Correia said Barrington Police are trying to determine if there will be any criminal charges stemming from this incident.