Nichole Raquel Doster, 36, of Festus has been charged with nine felonies after she reportedly dropped a baggie containing methamphetamine in an infant room at a day care in Manchester where she worked. Doster was the director at the day care – Kidsplay Childcare and Preschool, 459 Lafayette Center, authorities reported.
An administrator at Kidsplay said no children were in the room when the baggie was found there, and it is believed no children came into contact with it.
“Based on our schedule for the day, our infants go on what we call a buggy ride, which is a multi-child stroller on a ride through our shopping plaza to get them fresh air,” he said. “We believe the baggie may have fallen out when (Doster) prepped the room for their return.”
Doster was charged June 21 with one count of possession of a controlled substance and eight counts of child endangerment. All charges are class D felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison.
She was being held June 22 in the St. Louis County Jail on a $75,000 cash-only bond, according to court records.
Manchester Police were called to the day care on June 16 after employees found the baggie on the floor of the facility’s infant room. Police spoke with Doster, and she allowed them to search her purse, and inside an officer allegedly found another bag containing a crystal-like substance. The contents of both bags tested positive for meth, the report said.
An administrator at the day care said Doster was fired that same day. He said Doster had worked at the day care for two years and she had passed a background check before being hired.
The administrator said Doster managed the day-to-day operations of the business, which has been open for more than 20 years.
“We are really in shock by this,” the administrator said. “Our goal is to provide a reliable, safe and affordable center for the community in this area.”