A daycare worker in Texas has been apprehended by authorities following allegations of physically abusing at least six toddlers under her care. Catherine Guziejka, 44, is accused of kicking the children over 100 times, with the incidents reportedly captured on surveillance footage at the Punkin’ Doodles Day Care in Lindale.
The initial tip-off about the alleged abuse came from a parent of one of the victims, who had been informed by another daycare staff member. The staff member had reportedly witnessed some of the incidents on video. Detectives from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office are currently examining the surveillance footage as they build their case against Guziejka.
According to the sheriff, the video evidence shows Guziejka kicking the six children on 134 separate occasions. The incidents of abuse are believed to have occurred over several months, from July to October. In one instance, Guziejka is seen kicking a two-year-old boy in his lower back while he was lying on the floor. Other instances show toddlers being pulled from their beds during naptime and dragged by their arms to a changing table.
Guziejka was arrested on October 30 and is facing six counts of injury to a child with the intent to cause bodily harm. She remains in custody as the investigation continues. It is also alleged that Guziejka punished some of the toddlers by standing on their hands.
Guziejka began working at the daycare in September 2023 and was terminated after the owner of the daycare was made aware of the allegations of abuse. The daycare has since been sold to a new owner who plans to completely rebrand the business.