1 Charged, 2 Fired in Pataskala Daycare Abuse Case

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Trust between parents and caregivers was shaken when a 23-year-old daycare worker, Katelyn Strohacker, was accused of binding a one-year-old child with painter’s tape at Over the Rainbow Children’s Center. Strohacker was arrested and charged with child endangerment after the child’s parents reported the abuse on August 7.

According to investigators, Strohacker admitted to taping the toddler’s eyes, legs, and hands, then placing her face down under a blanket and leaving her unattended for nearly an hour. Authorities believe this was not an isolated incident but something that happened “on more than one occasion.”

The daycare confirmed that both Strohacker and her supervisor have been terminated. Strohacker has since been released from the Licking County Jail on a $50,000 bond. It is not yet clear whether the supervisor will face charges. For families who trusted the center, the news was devastating.

A Pattern of Non-Compliance

Public records show this was not the first time Over the Rainbow faced concerns. The state’s online database lists a history of compliance issues, including:

• July 2025: A leaking ceiling and an expired child abuse training certification for one employee.
• 2024: Children found left unattended.
• 2023: A child discovered unattended in one of the daycare’s vehicles.

While the center did self-report this latest incident to the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, the recurrence of issues raises questions about oversight, culture, and accountability.

The Risks of Physical Abuse in Childcare

This case shines a light on a broader problem: physical abuse in early childhood environments. While sexual abuse often captures headlines, physical abuse in any form whether; binding, restraining, hitting, or isolating children can be just as harmful, particularly for infants and toddlers who cannot speak for themselves.

Research shows that even short episodes of restraint or isolation can:

• Cause trauma and long-term anxiety.
• Undermine trust in caregivers.
• Interrupt neurological and emotional development.

Safeguarding Lessons for Parents and Care Providers

The Pataskala daycare case offers painful but necessary lessons:

1. Compliance Gaps Are Red Flags. Multiple past violations should prompt closer scrutiny.
2. Supervision Matters. Abuse often happens when staff are left unchecked or untrained.
3. Safer Recruitment Is Essential. Hiring must go beyond résumés, with verified references, background checks, and ongoing monitoring.
4. Training Cannot Expire. Child abuse prevention training should be current and refreshed regularly.
5. Transparency Builds Trust. Parents deserve open communication about all incidents, not just those that become public.

A Call to Action

For parents, the Ohio case is a sobering reminder to ask tough questions of every daycare:

• How are staff supervised and held accountable?
• Are training and compliance records up to date?
• What systems exist for parents and staff to raise concerns safely?

For providers and regulators, it is a clear signal that child safety cannot be treated as a box-ticking exercise. Every gap in supervision, recruitment, or training creates an opportunity for harm.

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