Ten Children Drink Windshield Wiper Fluid At Arkansas Daycare

March 15, 2009 6:32 a.m. EST

Miami, FL (AHN) - An Arkansas daycare owner has voluntarily shut down her business after 10 children drank windshield wiper fluid thinking it was a sugary drink at her facility.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that the woman, Carolyn Bynum, was helping a worker unload groceries and placed the bottle of windshield wiper fluid in the refrigerator Thursday. She poured the children cups of the liquid thinking it was Kool-Aid.

Only when one of the children complained about the taste did Bynum realize something was wrong. The children were immediately taken to the hospital.

All but one of the children, ages 2 to 6, was released. That child was kept for observation because doctors found traces of methanol, but the child is listed in good condition. Methanol, an alcohol, is one of the main ingredients in windshield wiper fluid.

The state's Human Services Department is investigating the incident Friday. Bynum has no previous violations associated with her daycare business.