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PRESS RELEASE 03/10/2010

HAMILTON COUNTY PROSECUTOR JOSEPH T. DETERS ANNOUNCES CHARGES AGAINST COVENANT APOSTOLIC CHURCH DAY CARE WORKERS

Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced charges against Cleves resident Pamela Hartley (DOB 2/26/54) and Cincinnati resident Donna Scott (DOB 8/3/68) in the December 2009 incident at the Springfield Township Covenant Apostolic Church Day Care.

Hartley and Scott are charged with 3 counts of Misrepresentation By Childcare Provider (Misdemeanor 1) and 3 counts of Child Endangering (Misdemeanor 1). If convicted of all charges, they face the possibility of 18 months in jail. These are the most serious charges applicable to these facts.

Hartley and Scott were day care workers at the church. Hartley was the director of the day care and Scott was the lead infant teacher. Neither defendant currently works at the Springfield Township Covenant Apostolic Church Day Care.

Today's charges allege that Hartley and Scott gave over-the-counter supplement Melatonin to children at the day care in order to make them sleep.

The investigation into this matter began when a co-worker notified Springfield Township Police about Hartley and Scott giving the melatonin to the children.

Prosecutor Deters commented, "I understand how upset the parents of these children must be. Day care workers are responsible for a very valuable commodity and must be held to a high standard."