News

The Hollister woman who pleaded no contest to trying to slip sleep-aid medication to toddlers under her care at a Morgan Hill daycare facility was sentenced to six months in Santa Clara County Jail on Monday, according to authorities. 

Deborah Gratz, 59 of Hollister, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Kenneth Shapero following a hearing at South County Courthouse in Morgan Hill. She was sentenced to six months in jail followed by four years of formal probation, with a list of conditions for her release during probation, according to Deputy District Attorney Sumerle Davis. 

In May, Gratz pleaded no contest to five counts of attempted child endangerment as part of a plea bargain with the D.A.’s office. 

The misdemeanor charges stem from Gratz’ attempt to put a sleep-aid drug known as Sominex into the sippy-cups of some children under her care at Kiddie Academy daycare in Morgan Hill, authorities said. Gratz had worked at the daycare business since 2007, and has worked in the childcare field for about 20 years. 

The attempted drugging occurred in early March, according to police. Another employee of Kiddie Academy saw Gratz place an unknown substance into the sippy cups of about 10 toddlers between the ages of 1 and 2. 

Staff at Kiddie Academy determined that Gratz had placed the over-the-counter sleep-aid medication in the children’s drinks, police said. The staff fired Gratz and reported the attempted drugging to Morgan Hill police. 

Officers investigated the incident, and arrested Gratz March 11 at her home in Hollister. 

None of the children were harmed by Gratz’ actions, police said. 

Police added that Gratz had a “spotless” record during her career as a daycare professional until the incident at Kiddie Academy was reported. 

Gratz remains out of custody, but she is required to report to South County Courthouse to begin serving her six-month sentence in jail Sept. 27, Davis said.

The Bornia Boys blues band won first place in a field of three bands at The Golden Gate Blues Society International Blues Challenge on Sunday at McGovern's in San Mateo.

Gavilan College will be hosting free information sessions on exciting career training programs in water careers, basic bookkeeping, pharmacy technician and veterinary assistant.

County supervisors Tuesday are scheduled to consider approving the fiscal year 2013-2014 adopted budget resolution, greenlighting specifications for the Cienega Road Realignment Project, and accepting the 2012 crop report.

De La Rosa & Co., an investment bank based in Los Angeles and San Francisco, has awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Jacob Garcia of Hollister’s San Benito High School.

The annual Fall Passport Weekend’s slogan says it all: “Rediscover the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley.”

San Benito Rising, a local environmental group, will be holding a rally called "Draw The Line: Don't Frack the Pinnacles" at the east entrance of Pinnacles National Park on Sept. 21 starting at 9:30 a.m.

The Hollister woman accused of embezzling from a cattle dog rescue group over a five-year stretch faces an arraignment hearing Tuesday.

Hollister police last week conducted a probation check at a South Street police alleged in a statement.

Do you adore your dog? Does he sleep in your bed or go on vacation with the family? We want to hear all about the details. Send us your dog’s photo and tell us what makes him a stellar companion, a part of your family and your best friend (600 words maximum). Deadline is Sept. 20. Your stories and photos will be shared in the Sept. 27 edition of Lifestyles. Send your photos and stories to editor Andrea Joseph at [email protected].