Texas daycare worker accused of kicking toddlers over 100 times
A Texas daycare worker was arrested for allegedly kicking at least six toddlers who’d been left in her care over 100 times.
Investigators were first alerted to Catherine Guziejka’s alleged abuse by one of the victim’s parents.
The father was told about the abuse at Punkin’ Doodles Day Care in Lindale by another staffer, who had seen video of some of the incidents.
Detectives from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office are still reviewing surveillance footage from the daycare as they build a case against Guziejka, 44.
The sheriff claimed Guziejka was caught on film kicking the six children on 134 separate occasions.
Guziejka remains in custody since her arrest Oct. 30 on six counts of injury to a child with the intent to cause bodily harm.
The kicks were dealt over the course of several months between July and October.
In one portion of the footage, Guziejka kicked a defenseless boy, 2, in his lower back while he was laying on the floor.
Other toddlers were yanked from beds during naptime and dragged by their arms to a changing table.
She also is accused of punishing some of the toddlers by standing on their hands.
Guziejka first began working at the daycare in September 2023.
She was fired after the daycare’s owner learned of the abuse. The daycare was since sold to a new owner, who plans to rebrand the business.
