Crime & Safety

Morgan Hill Teacher Arrested for Giving Toddlers Sleeping Pills

Deborah Gratz, 59, was caught putting Sominex in the drinks of 1 and 2 year olds.

A teacher at a Morgan Hill child care center was arrested after she was allegedly caught putting sleep medicine in toddlers' drink cups, police said.

Deborah Gratz, 59, of Hollister, had taught at Kiddie Academy at 15750 Monterey Rd. for about five years, according to Morgan Hill police.

She was fired Friday after a witness reported seeing her putting an unknown substance into several children's drink cups, police said.

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When confronted by school administrators, police said, Gratz allegedly admitted that the substance was Sominex, an over-the-counter sleep aid.

The children involved were between 1 and 2 years old, according to police.

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On Monday, Morgan Hill police served a search warrant at Gratz' home and arrested her on suspicion of felony child endangerment, police said.

Any parents who believe their child might have been in Gratz' care at Kiddie Academy are asked to contact Morgan Hill police Detective Joe Burdick at (408) 779-2101.

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