Katelyn Strohacker, a 23-year-old former employee at Over the Rainbow Children Center in Pataskala, Ohio, has agreed to a plea deal following charges of child endangerment and kidnapping. She allegedly used painter's tape to restrain a 1-year-old girl and abused at least seven other children, causing them sleep issues and night terrors. The agreement comes after an initial plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.
In August 2025, the mother of a 1-year-old girl reported an incident at the day care to police after being contacted by director Jamie Schoelkopf. According to court documents, Strohacker had wrapped painter's tape around the child's eyes, bound her hands behind her back, taped her feet together, and left her face down under a blanket unattended. Prosecutors detailed that this occurred as a form of corporal punishment in a cruel manner.
Surveillance video from July 7 to August 7, 2025, revealed at least four similar incidents involving the same child, including one on July 17 where Strohacker taped the toddler's hands behind her head and placed her foot on the child's shoulder and neck area. During restraint, Strohacker allegedly terrorized the child by yanking her around or acting threateningly when she moved.
The investigation uncovered abuse against seven other children within the same period. On July 11, 2025, video showed Strohacker purposely shutting a 2-year-old's finger in a cabinet door and frequently shoving or yanking the child. Four victims received evaluation and treatment at Nationwide Children's Hospital, where they were noted to have suffered serious physical harm, leading to sleep issues, night terrors, separation anxiety, and behavioral problems.
Strohacker admitted during an interview to restraining the 1-year-old on multiple occasions, including leaving her bound in a bed for an hour on the reported day. She was arrested, released on a $50,000 surety bond, and ordered to avoid unsupervised contact with minors.
A February 20 motion from her counsel states: "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." The Over the Rainbow Children Center terminated Strohacker and her supervisor, emphasizing safety as their top priority and reporting the incident to authorities. Strohacker is set to appear in court on April 7 for the plea change and sentencing.
