Innocent looking daycare worker poisoned toddlers with laxatives for months because she 'didn't want to deal with them'
An Illinois daycare worker is facing criminal charges after police say she gave chewable laxatives to toddlers under her care.
Yizel J. Juarez, 23, of Sycamore, near Chicago, allegedly presented the medication as candy, leaving several children sick and their parents scrambling for answers after weeks of unexplained symptoms.
Juarez was charged with three counts of attempted aggravated battery causing bodily harm to a victim under 13 and three counts of endangering the life or health of a child, according to the St. Charles Police Department.
Investigators say the alleged incidents occurred at a daycare facility on West Main Street in St. Charles and involved children aged two and younger.
Police said they were alerted on February 3, 2026, after 'multiple parents' reported their children had been given chewable laxatives by a daycare teacher.
'The ensuing investigation confirmed the incidents had occurred and identified three juvenile victims, each of whom is two years of age or younger,' police said.
Juarez, who had been working at the daycare, was identified as the suspect.
Police said Juarez later turned herself in, was formally processed, given a court date, and released from custody pending further proceedings.
Yizel J. Juarez, 23, of Sycamore, Illinois, was charged with six misdemeanor counts related to allegedly giving laxatives to toddlers
Investigators said the incidents occurred at a daycare facility located in St. Charles, Illinois
The allegations have left parents reeling, especially those who spent months desperately searching for answers as their children's health mysteriously deteriorated.
One mother, whose identity was concealed in CBS News interview described the anguish of watching her toddler suffer without explanation.
'My child is still suffering from constipation, which the doctor said it was going to be a side effect of the laxatives, of coming off of laxatives,' she said.
Her 17-month-old child had been enrolled at the daycare since the summer of 2025 - around the same time Juarez began working there.
For weeks, the family struggled to understand why their toddler had persistent stomach problems.
'We thought it could have been a virus, and that was negative,' the mother said.
Doctors ruled out infections and changing milk formula didn't help. Her son's symptoms persisted, baffling both parents and physicians.
'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 get sent home because she was overwhelmed,' the mother added.
Parents contacted the police after noticing weeks of unexplained illness in their toddlers and learning from the daycare director that an employee had allegedly given children laxatives
The alleged incidents occurred at a daycare facility in St. Charles, Illinois, where Juarez was employed as a teacher
She added: 'It's disgusting. Get another job.'
Another parent told CBS News of the emotional toll they faced.
'I have no words. It's just thinking that your kid is going to be safe, and the daycare and you come and find surprises like this. It's sad. It's devastating.'
Police say the investigation began after parents independently raised concerns about their children's unexplained symptoms, eventually connecting their experiences and contacting authorities.
Officers responded and 'confirmed the incidents had occurred,' according to police.
The daycare fired Juarez after the allegations surfaced.
Authorities are now urging anyone with additional information about the case to come forward.
