Forsyth daycare license revoked after staff gave Benadryl to toddlers, violent discipline caught on video
On March 10, DECAL was informed that a staff member at the daycare had given Benadryl to three two-year-old children without parental authorization.
FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) revoked the license for Forsyth Methodist Church-Caring for Kids Child Care Learning Center on Monday, according to a news release.
On March 10, DECAL was informed that a staff member at the daycare had given Benadryl to three two-year-old children without parental authorization. The investigation showed that on March 3 and March 5, the staff member administered Benadryl to the children before nap time.
The daycare management was informed by another staff member. According to the news release, the daycare has 10 days to appeal the revocation before an administrative law judge with the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH).
The news release states that “DECAL determined that rule violations occurred which seriously affected the health and safety of children and demonstrated the intentional and reckless disregard for the physical and mental health and safety of children.”
The release later adds that on March 5 – 7, staff members administered inappropriate discipline to two-year-old children.
DECAL later added “DECAL has determined that there were uncorrectable abuses, derelictions or deficiencies in the operation and management of the Child Care Learning Center which were brought to the attention of the license holder.”
The DECAL investigation also revealed that “staff members routinely raised their voices at children when redirecting them” and “routinely handled the 2-year-old children roughly when they wrestled with them by picking them up and throwing them onto their mats”.
The report also states the following:
“On March 3, 2025, a staff member pulled a child from underneath a table forcefully by their arms. Also, around naptime it was observed that the staff member kicked two children’s cots jostling them about. It was also observed on video footage that a staff member dispensed medication to two 2-year-old children on March 3, 2025. The staff member was heard in the video footage saying to the child “I gave you Benadryl, why aren’t you asleep?” On March 5, 2025, medication was dispensed to three children. On March 5, 2025, it was observed on video footage that throughout the day there were multiple instances where multiple children were snatched, grabbed, shoved, and yelled at as a form of discipline. On March 6, 2025, it was observed on video footage, a staff member pulled a child by the arm and the child was forced to lay down. Also, at the staff member checked the child and then threw a marker at the child. On March 7, 2025, it was observed on video footage that the staff member pulled a child out of a chair by their right arm and pulled the child by both arms over to the play area to put up a toy.”
