Last summer, a sleepover party took a horrifying turn when a father from Oregon allegedly drugged three 12-year-old girls. Michael Meyden, 57, turned himself into the police after six months of investigation. Meyden is accused of lacing mango smoothies with a drug called benzodiazepine, commonly used to treat insomnia and panic attacks.

The incident occurred on August 26th at Meyden’s residence in Lake Oswego. He had invited his daughter’s three friends over and served them the smoothies between 9 and 11 pm. The drinks, later found to have “tiny white chunks throughout and sprinkled on top,” contained the alleged drug.

According to the Lake Oswego Police Department, Meyden is facing multiple charges, including causing another individual to ingest a controlled substance. He has pleaded not guilty. The motive behind his actions remains unclear.

The seriousness of the situation came to light when one of the girls sent a distressing text to her mother during the sleepover, just before 2 am. In the message, she expressed fear and insecurity, pleading for her mother to pick her up. This alarming message and the subsequent actions taken by the girl’s family emphasize the gravity of the situation.

Upon consuming the smoothies, the girls reported experiencing various adverse effects. One girl felt “woozy, hot, and clumsy” before blacking out and falling into a deep sleep. Another girl, who did not finish her drink, witnessed Meyden entering the room and conducting tests to see if the girls were asleep.

The quick response of the concerned mother, who alerted the other girls’ parents and arranged for their immediate retrieval, likely prevented further harm. Meyden’s alleged behavior, encouraging the girls to drink quickly and conducting suspicious activities, paints a disturbing picture of the events that unfolded that night.

This incident has understandably caused shock and outrage within the community. Parents are grappling with the unsettling realization that such a disturbing event could occur seemingly out of nowhere. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and ensuring the safety of children, even in familiar environments.

Furthermore, this incident raises questions about the adequacy of existing safeguards and regulations regarding the handling and distribution of controlled substances. Authorities may need to reassess protocols to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

In light of these developments, parents and guardians must remain vigilant and maintain open communication with their children. Encouraging children to speak up about any discomfort or unusual occurrences, no matter how trivial they may seem, can potentially prevent dangerous situations.

As the legal proceedings unfold and more details emerge, it is crucial for the community to come together in support of the affected families and ensure that justice is served. The well-being and safety of our children must always remain paramount, and incidents like these are sobering reminders of the need for constant vigilance and proactive measures to protect them.

Sources:

• “Oregon dad accused of drugging daughter’s 12-year-old friends at sleepover” – Global News
• “Dad Accused of Giving 3 Girls Drugged Smoothies at Daughter’s Sleepover” – HuffPost