An owner of an in-home daycare in Arkansas has been charged after authorities say two kids allegedly ate marijuana gummies while in her care, according to multiple reports.
Tamantha McPherson, 58, is facing two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and two counts of introduction of a controlled substance into the body of another after authorities claimed parents of two different children reported that their kids had marijuana in their system following daycare visits, NBC affiliate KYTV and local outlet Ozark Radio News reported.
Citing state court records, KYTV reported that the parents of a two-year-old girl first noticed their daughter acting off when they picked her up from a Yellville daycare in April. Hospital lab results then came back showing she had marijuana in her system.
Stock image of marijuana gummies.
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The parents, who said they did not have marijuana in their home, added that the daycare owner did not have their permission to give their daughter medication without parental consent, per the outlet.
Days later, a second set of parents reported to authorities that their 15-month-old boy was not acting right when they picked him up from the daycare. His blood test from a pediatrician later came back positive for marijuana, and the parents also said they did not have marijuana in their home, the outlet said.
During an interview with authorities, according to the outlets, McPherson reportedly said she stored her THC gummies in her kitchen area — the same location where the roughly 8 daycare kids would be located — and that she brings the gummies to Arkansas from Missouri.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Sunday, Aug. 25. It is currently unclear if McPherson has legal representation to comment on her behalf.
Back in July, the Food and Drug Administration noted that it was cracking down on products with delta-8 THC that resembled snacks commonly marketed to children.
At the time, the Federal Trade Commission(FTC) and the FDA pointed out how some edible cannabis products are packaged, with the FTC stating that “the companies that sell the genuine food products have nothing whatsoever to do with these look-alikes.”
“Companies that market and sell edible THC products that are easily mistaken for snacks and candy are not only acting illegally, but they are also putting the health of young children at risk,” Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement. “Those that prioritize profits in front of children’s safety are at serious risk of legal action.”
In October 2023, six children at a Boys & Girls Club in Lauderhill, Florida were reportedly hospitalized for ingesting candy later believed to be cannabis-infused. In the months since, four third graders in California were hospitalized after eating edibles, and a mother in Memphis said her 2-year-old child consumed THC gummies at a daycare.
