Surveillance cameras reportedly caught a Texas day care worker abusing children in at least 100 separate incidences throughout three months. Catherine Guziejka, 44, worked at the Punkin’ Doodles Day Care in Lindale, where the alleged abuse took place. When a staff member came across surveillance footage of Guziejka hurting the children, they reported it to a victim’s father. An investigation reportedly uncovered the ugly truth.
According to KLTV, the day care’s owner fired Guziejka as soon as she learned of the alleged abuse. She immediately called the police and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to report Guziejka’s horrific behavior.
More from CafeMom: Dad Catches Day Care Worker Violently Striking 5-Year-Old With Down Syndrome on Video
A parent contacted the Smith County sheriff's office.
According to an arrest record obtained by KLTV, a staff member allegedly witnessed Guziejka kicking a toddler in the back and reported the abuse to the victim’s father. He contacted the sheriff’s office, which led to an investigation. The center’s owner, Melanie Dawn Law, fired Guziejka on October 23, 2024, the day she learned of the abuse.
Law then began reviewing the footage and was shocked by what she saw, the news outlet reported. She turned all footage over to law enforcement.
Guziejka allegedly abused several children.
Law told KLTV she found 134 incidents of abuse on the footage between July and October. CBS 19 reported that according to court documents, Guziejka often went behind the children, all of whom were 2 years old, and kicked them. She also allegedly stepped on one child’s hand for several seconds and often pulled and yanked children around the room.
The children reportedly behaved well in the classroom.
The deputy who reviewed the footage said the children were not misbehaving prior to the alleged abuse, per CBS 19. Additionally, after Guziejka kicked or struck the toddlers, she did not stop to comfort or console them.
Law told the news station Guziejka to stayed up to date on her training and that something must have happened to her to cause such a change in behavior.
More from CafeMom: A Simple Decision at Day Care Killed This Baby & Her Mom Is Still Haunted
Guziejka had worked at the day care for more than a year.
Guziejka started working at Punkin’ Doodles in September 2023, according to KLTV. Law said she passed all background checks and completed all required training. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services determined Guziejka can never work at a day care, hospital, nursing home, or any facility dealing with vulnerable people. The sheriff’s office arrested Guziejka on October 30 and booked her in Smith County Jail, where she remains.
