Police: Third preschool worker arrested for not reporting the drugging of children
SOMERSET, Pa. (WJAC) —Pennsylvania police have arrested a third preschool worker after it was discovered the employee knew the owner was putting sleeping pills in children's lunches, a criminal complaint said.
According to authorities, Janie Hersh was arrested and charged Wednesday for failing to report as a mandated reporter and disorderly conduct.
The complaint states Hersh knew 51-year-old Teryll Gribble, owner of Learning Links Preschool, was putting melatonin in certain students' lunches so they would nap at certain times. Court documents show Gribble was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of children back in July.
Gribble's mother, 71-year-old Loraine Gribble, was arrested on similar charges in September, according to court documents.
Hersh told police Gribble would give pieces of melatonin to room supervisors and direct them to put them in certain lunches. According to the complaint, Hersh said she wouldn't give the children in her room melatonin but knew of at least four children who had been given pills.
Police said Hersh admitted to not reporting Gribble because she was intimidated by her.
The state revoked the preschool's certification for "gross incompetence, negligence or misconduct in the operation of a child care program." According to a letter issued by the state, investigators also found regulatory violations at the preschool related to play equipment, small toys, supervision, medication, special diets, child records and paint, among other things.
It is unclear if the preschool appealed the revocation, which would allow it to operate until a formal hearing takes place.
