Ohio day care worker who allegedly ‘terrorized’ 7 children, taped child’s eyes shut will take plea deal

COLUMBUS, Ohio (TCN) -- A woman accused of child abuse at the day care center where she worked will take a plea deal, court filings say.

WSYX reports Katelyn Strohacker, 23, is facing 31 charges in connection with the abuse of eight children, including five counts of kidnapping and 14 of endangering children. She had previously pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and was found competent to stand trial in November 2025.

A motion filed Feb. 20 and obtained by Law & Crime states, “Strohacker, by and through counsel … respectfully asks this court to cancel the currently scheduled jury trial and set the matter for a change of plea and sentencing hearing. … Based on conversations with Ms. Strohacker and the state, counsel can now represent to the court that this matter will be resolved through a plea.”

Court documents obtained by WSYX allege that between July 7 and Aug. 7 of 2025, Strohacker abused children in her care at the Over the Rainbow Children’s Center, and that one child, age 2, suffered the bulk of the mistreatment. The investigation began in August 2025 when police were alerted by a parent of one of the children, also age 2. Law & Crime reports this parent had been contacted about the incident by the director of the facility, Jamie Schoelkopf.

Much of the conduct was captured on camera and allegedly shows Strohacker restraining a child with painter’s tape and pulling on the child’s arms, and, in another instance, shutting a child’s finger in a cabinet door. According to court documents, Strohacker allegedly put tape over the child’s eyes and bound her legs and hands and left her unattended under a blanket for over an hour. Strohacker allegedly admitted to authorities that she did this on more than one occasion.

According to an Oct. 31, 2025, bill of particulars obtained by Law & Crime, four of the children were evaluated by multidisciplinary teams at a children’s hospital. The bill alleges, “These children, who suffered serious physical harm as a result of the defendant’s abuse, have experienced sleep issues/night terrors, separation anxiety, and behavioral issues.”

In 2025, WBNS reported Strohacker was arrested and then released on a $50,000 surety bond and ordered not to have unsupervised contact with minors.

Law & Crime reports Strohacker is due back in court for sentencing and to change her plea on April 7.

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