An Ohio day care worker is facing child endangerment charges after authorities say she bound a 1-year-old girl with painter’s tape and left her unattended for an extended period of time.
In the Licking County Common Pleas Court, a complaint states that 23-year-old Katelyn Strohacker allegedly taped the toddler’s eyes, restrained her hands behind her back and her feet together, and left her face-down under a blanket at Over the Rainbow Children Center in Pataskala. The incident reportedly took place on July 21.
Court documents show the day care’s director later told the child’s parent that Strohacker had left the girl in that state for an hour. The mother contacted the Licking County Sheriff’s Office on August 7.
During an interview with investigators, Strohacker admitted to the act, according to the complaint. She also acknowledged that it had happened more than once. She was arrested shortly after, then released on a $50,000 surety bond. As a condition of her release, she is barred from unsupervised contact with minors. A preliminary hearing for Strohacker has been set for August 28 at 3 p.m.
The allegations have shaken families and raised questions about oversight inside facilities entrusted with the care of very young children. Prosecutors say the painter’s tape was used “to administer corporal punishment or other physical disciplinary measure” and to restrain the child “in a cruel manner.”
In a statement to Columbus station 10TV, the day care said both the employee and the supervisor responsible for the classroom had been terminated. “Safety is a top priority. We became aware of an incident with a former employee. As a result of the incident, both the employee and supervisor have been terminated. We have been in contact with the family of the child involved and reported the incident to authorities. We are and will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement,” the statement read.
Facilities like Over the Rainbow are required to adhere to strict state safety and staffing regulations. But when something like this happens it’s clear how fragile our sense of trust can be – especially when dealing with children. Parents rely on day care providers not only for supervision but for a sense of security. Any breach of that responsibility reverberates beyond a single family and entire the entire community.
For now, Strohacker awaits her next court appearance. The girl’s family has not released a public statement beyond confirming they reported the incident to the proper authorities. The day care, meanwhile, says that they’re reviewing their policies and procedures as the investigation into this awful incident continues.
