Daycare Worker Accused of Secretly Giving Toddlers Laxatives
A St. Charles, Illinois daycare worker is facing charges after allegedly administering laxatives to multiple toddlers without their parents’ knowledge, telling the children the medication was candy. Yizel J. Juarez, 23, of Sycamore, has been charged with three misdemeanor counts of attempted aggravated battery and three counts of misdemeanor child endangerment, according to police reports.
Juarez was terminated from her position at The Learning Experience daycare following the allegations. Police were alerted to the situation on Tuesday morning, just before 9:45 a.m., when several parents reported that their children had been given a chewable laxative.
Investigators determined that Juarez had given laxatives to three children, all of whom are 2 years old or younger. She reportedly turned herself in to police after the incident.
The parents of one affected child expressed devastation, stating they had been struggling for weeks to understand why their child was experiencing frequent illness. “My child is still suffering from constipation, which the doctor said was going to be a side effect of the laxatives, of coming off the laxatives,” the mother, who wished to remain anonymous, told investigators. “Who knows what the long-term effects could be on this?”
The mother explained that her 17-month-old child had been in the care of The Learning Experience since the summer of 2025, coinciding with Juarez’s employment. Over the past two months, the toddler had been sent home from daycare at least three times due to diarrhea. Despite multiple doctor visits and changes to the child’s formula, the issue persisted.
The situation came to light on Monday when the mother learned of the allegations from the daycare director. “We found out from the director that she had fired her employee, because she allegedly was giving them these laxatives and saying that it was candy … so that they could be sent home, because she was overwhelmed,” she said. “It’s disgusting. Get another job then.”
The child’s father echoed the sentiment, expressing shock and disbelief. “I have no words. It’s just thinking that your kid is going to be safe in the daycare, and you come and find surprises like this. It’s sad. It’s devastating, you know?” He also noted the daycare’s policy of requiring sick children to remain home for 24 hours.
Juarez has been released from custody with an upcoming court date. The St. Charles Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact them at 630-377-4435. CBS News Chicago has reached out to The Learning Experience for comment.
Juarez had studied early childhood education at Northern Illinois University.
