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Written by: E. George
Published January 16, 2025 @ 4:00 PM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding alleged physical violence against/neglect of children.
HALL COUNTY, Ga. – Authorities arrested two women on Monday, January 13, 2025, after a concerned parent reported to a pediatrician that their two children were uncharacteristically “lethargic, irritable, and slept more than usual,” and the doctor discovered high levels of medication in their blood. The 51-year-old daycare owner, Stacie Fuller Young, operated the child services in her Odum Smallwood Road residence and employed her 35-year-old daughter-in-law, Ptiery Verby-Sunshine Edge, alongside her.
The pediatrician called the sheriff’s office to obtain legal advice on December 18, 2024, regarding bloodwork conducted on the victims on December 10. Young and Edge were each charged with four counts of misdemeanor reckless conduct and bonded out of custody on Monday evening on a $5,200 sum.
Investigators determined that the women administered Benadryl and melatonin to the children each day before their naps. The two children began attending Young’s daycare at the end of 2023, and their parents said they noticed their behavior change starting in October 2024.
The Department of Early Childcare and Learning “strongly advises parents to verify the licensing status of any childcare provider by visiting www.qualityrated.org or contacting the agency directly. We encourage anyone with information about unlicensed childcare operations or concerns regarding child safety to report them by calling the agency at 404-656-5957 or emailing ccscomplaints@decal.ga.gov.”
Anyone with information relative to this active investigation is urged to call 770-533-7690 or email Investigator Mefferd at mmefferd@hallcounty.org.
DECAL revealed that Young does not possess a childcare license and is prohibited from caring for more than two children for compensation. Authorities issued Young a cease and desist order on January 7, 2025.