An Ohio daycare worker has been sentenced after touching a toddler’s eyes, tying her hands
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An Ohio daycare worker accused of abusing the toddlers in her care — including repeatedly binding a two-year-old child with duct tape and leaving the child face down under a blanket — has been sentenced to years in prison.
Katelyn Ann Strohacker, an employee at Over the Rainbow Children’s Center in Licking County, was convicted of 31 counts, including kidnapping and child endangerment, after entering a plea of no contest. He was sentenced to 8 to 12 years in prison, according to court records obtained by Fox News Digital.
The case began in August 2025 when a concerned parent raised the alarm about the treatment of a young child.
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View of Over the Rainbow Children’s Center in Licking County, Ohio. (Google Maps)
According to court documents, Strohacker used masking tape to bind the child and confessed to the abuse on multiple occasions. In one incident, the child held his own until a co-worker intervened.
Investigators later reviewed surveillance footage and found that the abuse was not isolated. Authorities say the video shows Strohacker repeatedly abusing at least eight children over several weeks, including pushing, kicking and yawning at the children.
In one incident, prosecutors say she intentionally stuck a child’s finger in a closet door.
“The accused used to push or grab her [the child]including one incident on July 11, 2025, where the defendant covered the victim’s finger in a closet door,” according to court documents.
Officials say the impact on children has been huge. Several victims experienced night terrors, separation anxiety and behavioral problems.
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Investigators noted that Strohacker has worked at the daycare for more than three years and received “all necessary training and continuing education.”
During Friday’s sentencing hearing, the concerned parents spoke of the constant trauma.
One mother said she hopes Strohacker “will never be allowed to be alone with the children again,” according to WSYX.
“May God have mercy on your soul, but I can’t – because we pray that he won’t,” said my mother.
One parent described the grief of her young daughter.
“For our daughter, she is sleepy and she is two years old,” said the parent.
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A police siren has been added to this undated photo. (Stock)
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Strohacker, who was facing 87 to 92.5 years behind bars, was very quiet in court, answering only the judge’s questions, according to KENS5.
His lawyer apologized to the victims’ families on his behalf.
The Licking County Sheriff’s Office could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment.
