An Ohio daycare employee has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of repeatedly terrorizing toddlers under her supervision. This included binding a 2-year-old with tape and leaving the child face down under a blanket.
Katelyn Ann Strohacker, who worked at Over the Rainbow Children’s Center in Licking County, faced 31 charges such as kidnapping and child endangerment. She entered a no-contest plea, resulting in a sentence of 8 to 12 years, as noted in court documents shared by Fox News Digital.
The investigation started in August 2025 after a parent expressed concern over the treatment of their child at the daycare.
The location of Over the Rainbow Children’s Center in Licking County, Ohio, can be seen. (Google Maps)
According to the court records, Strohacker was found to have used painter’s tape to bind the child, and she confessed to repeating this abusive behavior on several occasions. In one instance, the child remained restrained until a coworker intervened.
Upon reviewing surveillance footage, investigators discovered this was not an isolated incident. The video evidence revealed Strohacker engaging in repeated abuse of at least eight children over several weeks, including acts such as pushing, kicking, and pulling toddlers.
In one incident, prosecutors say she purposely shut a child’s finger in a cabinet door.
“The defendant frequently shoved or yanked [the child], including one incident on July 11, 2025, where the defendant purposely shut the victim’s finger in a cabinet door,” as noted in court documents.
Officials say the impact on the children was severe. Several victims suffered night terrors, separation anxiety and behavioral issues.
Investigators noted Strohacker had worked at the daycare for more than three years and had received “all necessary training and continuing education.”
During Friday’s sentencing hearing, emotional parents spoke out about the lasting trauma.
One mother said she hopes Strohacker is “never allowed to be alone with children ever again,” according to WSYX.
“May God have mercy on your soul, but I can’t — because we pray he doesn’t,” the mother said.
Another parent described the toll on her young daughter.
“For our daughter, she’s been trapped in a cycle of sleep aggression and night terrors at two years old,” the parent said.
Police sirens are pictured in this undated photo. (iStock)
Strohacker, who was facing a possible 87 to 92.5 years behind bars, remained largely silent in court, responding only to the judge’s questions, according to KENS5.
Her attorney delivered a brief apology to the victims’ families on her behalf.
The Licking County Sheriff’s Office could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment.
