Man accused of drugging 12-year-old girls at daughter’s sleepover in Oregon
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An Oregon man accused of drugging three preteen girls at his daughter’s sleepover last summer has been indicted by a grand jury.
Police said the girls, all 12 years old, were hospitalized on August 26, 2023, after being exposed to “an unknown prescription drug” at a slumber party in Lake Oswego.
An investigation found that 57-year-old Michael Meyden, the host of the sleepover, was responsible for administering the drug to the girls, according to authorities.
The three girls tested positive for benzodiazepine, a sedative known to treat anxiety, USA Today and NBC News reported, citing a probable cause affidavit. Meyden allegedly spiked the girls’ mango smoothies with the drug before serving it to them, according to the document.
One of the girls, who didn’t drink much of her smoothie, said Meyden came to the basement, where she and her friends were gathered, more than once after handing out the drinks.
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The affidavit states the girl frantically texted her parents: “Mom please pick me up and say I had a family emergency. I don’t feel safe. I might not respond but please come get me. Please. Please pick up. Please. PLEASE!!”
A family member reportedly picked up the girl, took her home, and then two parents eventually went to Meyden’s home to get the other girls.
Authorities said Meyden turned himself in at the Clackamas County Jail on Wednesday, Feb. 28, where his bail was set at $50,000.
Meyden was charged with three counts of causing another to ingest a controlled substance, four counts of application of a schedule-4 controlled substance to another and three counts of delivery of a controlled substance to a minor. The charges were first reported by The Oregonian.
A motive remains unclear. Meyden pleaded not guilty during last week’s arraignment, according to NBC News. His lawyer told the outlet that Meyden is “presumed innocent,” and they hope “people will reserve judgment until all the facts are known.”
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