DATE: Thursday, September 25, 1997          TAG: 9709250318

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 

DATELINE: HAMPTON                           LENGTH:   35 lines

DAY-CARE WORKER MAY HAVE GIVEN CHILDREN A VOMIT-INDUCING DRUG

Police are investigating claims that a former day-care worker gave a drug that induces vomiting to children who fought with her 2-year-old son.

Authorities have not charged Mary Ann Davis. She worked as a teacher's aide at Aldersgate Christian Early Learning Center from January to June 23, when she says she was fired.

Jan Eldridge, director of the center, declined to comment.

Davis, 47, said Wednesday that she carried ipecac syrup in her purse for her own use but never gave it to any children.

``I don't know why they would think I would do that,'' she said in a telephone interview. ``If I didn't love children, I certainly wouldn't have been in that job.''

Davis also said her son never fought with other children at the center, which cares for 30 children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years. The center is affiliated with Aldersgate Methodist Church, which she attends.

``One of these children is much larger than he is, is about 4, and the other one is a baby that couldn't even walk,'' Davis said.

She also said she was given three polygraph tests by police and was told that they were inconclusive.

Hampton police spokesman Cpl. Jeff Walden confirmed that police are investigating but said he could not comment while they are doing so.

Officials at Hampton's Child Protective Services office also have investigated. Supervisor Arliss Ketchum said the agency could not release information about a specific case. KEYWORDS: CHILD CARE CENTER CHILD ABUSE

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