Ohio daycare worker sentenced after taping toddler’s eyes, binding hands
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An Ohio day care worker has been sentenced to years behind bars, accused of terrorizing young children in her care, including repeatedly tying a 2-year-old boy with tape and leaving the child face down under a blanket.
Katelyn Ann Strohacker, an employee at Over the Rainbow Children’s Center in Licking County, was convicted of 31 felonies, including kidnapping and child endangerment, after entering a no-contest plea. 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 her young child.
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A view of Over the Rainbow Children’s Center in Licking County, Ohio. (Google Maps)
Strohacker used painter’s tape to tie the boy up and admitted to molesting him multiple times, according to court documents. In one incident, the child remained tied 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 pulling younger children.
In one case, prosecutors said the woman intentionally trapped a child’s finger in a closet door.
“The defendant frequently pushes or pulls [the child]Including an incident on July 11, 2025, where the defendant intentionally trapped the victim’s finger in a closet door,” court documents state.
Officials say the impact on children is severe. Some victims experienced night terrors, separation anxiety and behavioral problems.
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Investigators said Strohacker had worked at the daycare for more than three years and had received “all necessary training and continuing education.”
At Friday’s sentencing hearing, emotional parents spoke about lasting trauma.
One mother said she hoped Strohacker was “never allowed to be alone with the kids again.” to WSYX.
The mother said, “May God have mercy on your soul, but I cannot, for we pray that it shall not be so.”
Another parent described the damage suffered by her young daughter.
“When our daughter was two years old, she became trapped in a cycle of sleep aggression and night terrors,” the parent said.
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Police sirens are seen in this undated photo. (iStock)
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Strohacker, who faces between 87 and 92.5 years in prison, remained largely silent in court, answering only the judge’s questions. to KENS5.
His lawyer issued a brief apology to the victims’ families on his behalf.
Fox News Digital could not immediately reach the Licking County Sheriff’s Office for comment.
