Texas Day Care Worker Accused of Over 130 Acts of Abuse Against Toddlers

LINDALE, TX — A Texas daycare worker was arrested after being caught on camera kicking toddlers in the back and committing over 130 instances of abuse, according to authorities.

Catherine Guziejka, 44, was charged with six counts of injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury following incidents recorded at Punkin’ Doodles Day Care in Lindale. Investigators allege the assaults occurred between July and October and were uncovered when an employee reviewed security footage.

According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Guziejka was seen kicking a 2-year-old boy in the lower back, dragging children by their arms, and standing on toddlers’ hands. The footage captured her targeting six different 2-year-olds a total of 134 times. The abuse reportedly caused “minor to medium bruising,” Sheriff Larry Smith stated.

The facility’s owner, Melanie Dawn Law, fired Guziejka immediately upon discovering the abuse and turned the evidence over to police. Law has since sold the daycare, which is set to reopen under new management in December.

Guziejka remains in custody at the Smith County Jail on a $450,000 bond. Investigators are reviewing additional footage to determine whether other instances of abuse occurred.