Frederick County child was drunk in daycare operator's care, investigators say

FREDERICK, Md. (FOX 5 DC) - A Maryland daycare owner is facing charges after a little boy in her care was discovered to be drunk, investigators say.

The Frederick News-Post was first to report the story.

According to charging documents, the little boy's blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit for an adult, coming in at .203 at the time of the blood test.

The doctor who tested him says it had likely been even higher than that.

The home daycare the boy attended in Walkersville had been licensed for 18 years to a woman named Doris Ott. Her license was suspended after the incident in April 2018.

According to charging documents, the boy fell out of his chair while eating, wouldn't wake up and was "pale and limp." Ott called the boy's mother, who rushed him to the hospital.

His mother told investigators her son was barely responsive and smelled of alcohol.

She also told them there were three days in the previous week where her son smelled like alcohol leaving daycare, but she thought it was hand sanitizer or baby wipes.

Ott told investigators that there was no alcohol accessible at her daycare, and she wasn't drinking.

There were several cans of spiked seltzer in the basement refrigerator, but Ott said it would be impossible for the boy to find and drink that, especially without her knowing.

She was arrested in late December and charged with neglect of a minor and reckless endangerment, both misdemeanors. Her trial is set for February.

When FOX 5 visited Ott's home, the man who answered the door had no comment and gave the name of Ott's lawyer.

Frederick attorney Michelle Martz provided this statement:

Mrs. Ott ran a successful daycare facility in the Walkersville community for 18 years. She provided a safe environment in her own home, caring deeply for every child entrusted to her care. She has a whole community that stands with her. Mrs. Ott is completely innocent and has been cooperative from the start. Charging Mrs. Ott was wrong. We look forward to attacking this in court.

The boy's parents released the following statement to FOX 5:

We are pleased the state is seeking justice for us and our son. We are also hopeful for the truth and just judgment.

According to charging documents, the child is doing fine now and thriving.