Father Laces Fruit Smoothies with Sleeping Medication to Drug Girls at Sleepover

Michael Meyden, a 57-year-old man from Lake Oswego, Oregon, has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to three felony counts of causing another person to ingest a controlled substance. Meyden admitted to drugging his daughter and her friends, all 12 years old at the time, with fruit smoothies laced with sleeping medication during a sleepover last summer. He claimed he wanted the girls to go to bed by 11 pm so they would be well-rested for the next day, and so he could sleep.

5 Key Points

  • Michael Meyden, 57, from Lake Oswego, Oregon, was sentenced to two years in prison for drugging their daughter and friends at a sleepover.
  • Meyden laced fruit smoothies with sleeping medication, causing two girls to pass out after drinking them.
  • The third girl declined the smoothie and alerted a family friend about Meyden’s suspicious behavior.
  • The girls later tested positive for benzodiazepine, a medication used to treat insomnia and anxiety, at a local hospital.
  • The mother of one of the girls condemned Meyden’s actions as indecent during sentencing.

Details of the Drugging Incident at Sleepover

According to authorities, Meyden laced fruit smoothies with sleeping medication and served them to his daughter and her friends during a sleepover last summer. Two of the girls drank the smoothies and eventually passed out, while a third girl, who didn’t want the drink, alerted a family friend by text message after she saw Meyden return to make sure the girls were asleep. The family friend picked up the girl and woke her parents, who then contacted the other girls’ families. All the girls, including Meyden’s daughter, tested positive for benzodiazepine, a medication used to treat insomnia and anxiety, at a local hospital.

Meyden’s Apology and Mother’s Reaction at Sentencing

During his sentencing, Meyden apologized for his actions, stating that his whole life was destroyed and everything important to him was gone. However, the mother of one of the girls condemned Meyden’s behavior, stating, “No decent parent feels the need to drug their child and her friends. No decent parent feels the need to go down and confirm children are unconscious. No decent parent puts their hands on drugged and unconscious young girls without nefarious intent.”

The Breach of Trust and Its Impact on Children

This disturbing incident highlights the importance of trust and safety, especially when it comes to children and their well-being. Parents entrust their children to the care of others, believing they will be protected and treated with respect. Meyden’s actions not only violated this trust but also put the girls’ health and safety at risk. The long-term psychological impact of such an experience on the young victims cannot be understated, as it may lead to ongoing issues with trust, anxiety, and personal relationships.

Raising Awareness to Prevent Future Incidents

Cases like this underscore the need for increased awareness and prevention efforts to protect children from harm, even in seemingly safe environments like sleepovers with friends. Parents, caregivers, and the community must remain vigilant and educate children about the importance of speaking up when something doesn’t feel right or when they witness inappropriate behavior. By fostering open communication and creating safe spaces for children to express their concerns, we can work towards preventing such incidents from occurring in the future.