Crime

Wanted for: Parolee at large

An ongoing battle waging between the City of Gilroy and an “Internet cafe” the state Attorney General has called an “illegal gambling operation” took another turn shortly before 4 p.m. Aug. 22 at 1325 First St. in Hecker Pass Plaza.

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 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 man who allegedly attacked and kidnapped his girlfriend from a Morgan Hill bar will be in court to attempt to negotiate a settlement with the court next month. 

A thief or thieves struck a series of Morgan Hill vehicles overnight Monday, stealing parts they likely intended to turn in for their recycling value, police said.

Sierra LaMar’s family and the returning volunteers continue to hold out hope that the missing 15-year-old will be found, and they think keeping the case in the public eye is the best way to preserve that hope.

Five men were arrested in relation to a fight that resulted in serious injuries in downtown Gilroy, police said.  The fight occurred about midnight March 31, when Gilroy Police responded to a report of violence in the area of Monterey and Sixth streets. When officers...