A shocking child abuse case out of Ohio is taking a major turn.
Katelyn Strohacker, 23, a former employee at Over the Rainbow Children’s Center in Pataskala, has agreed to resolve her criminal case through a plea deal after previously pleading not guilty by reason of insanity.
Strohacker was charged with child endangerment and kidnapping after investigators say she abused at least eight children — including a 1-year-old girl she allegedly restrained with painter’s tape in what prosecutors described as a cruel form of “discipline.”
According to court filings, Strohacker’s attorneys asked the court to cancel her jury trial and schedule a change-of-plea and sentencing hearing, stating the case would now be resolved through a plea agreement.
Disturbing Allegations on Camera
The investigation began in August 2025 after the mother of the 1-year-old was contacted by the daycare’s director about a troubling incident. What detectives later uncovered was far worse.
Prosecutors allege Strohacker placed painter’s tape over the toddler’s eyes, taped her hands behind her back, and bound her feet together. The child was then left face down under a blanket, unattended.
Authorities say surveillance footage showed this wasn’t an isolated event. Investigators reviewed weeks of video from July through early August 2025 and claim Strohacker carried out similar acts on at least four other occasions against the same child.
In one alleged incident on July 17, prosecutors say she taped the toddler’s hands behind her head and placed her foot on the child’s shoulder and neck area.
Court documents describe Strohacker as having “terrorized” the child while she was restrained, allegedly yanking her around and acting aggressively whenever the toddler moved.
More Children Allegedly Targeted
The filings state that seven other children were also victims during the time period captured on video.
In one incident involving a 2-year-old, prosecutors say Strohacker purposely shut the child’s finger in a cabinet door. Surveillance footage allegedly shows her frequently shoving or yanking that child as well.
Four of the children were evaluated and treated by multidisciplinary teams at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Prosecutors say the young victims suffered serious physical harm and have since experienced sleep issues, night terrors, separation anxiety, and behavioral problems.
The 1-year-old’s mother told authorities that her daughter had been bound and left in a bed for nearly an hour after being wrapped in painter’s tape.
According to the criminal complaint, Strohacker later admitted during an interview that she had done this — and had done it more than once.
Arrest and What Happens Next
Strohacker was arrested and later released on a $50,000 surety bond. She was ordered to have no unsupervised contact with minors.
Over the Rainbow Children’s Center said last year that safety is its “top priority.” In a statement to local media, the facility said the employee and a supervisor were terminated and that authorities were notified immediately.
Strohacker is scheduled to appear in court on April 7 to formally change her plea and be sentenced.
Number 1: Released on a $50,000 bond??? Are you kidding me?
Number 2: A plea deal? Outrageous! Not a jury in the United States would acquit her. Unless they’re insane.
Number 3: If that were my child, she would not WANT to be released. EVER! I’d hunt her down. She’d know what punishment and discipline were when I and my family finished with her.
I’m in Texas. We don’t mess around with child abusers here. At least the victims’ families don’t!