Catherine Guziejka, a 44-year-old daycare worker in Texas, was arrested on October 30, 2023, following alarming accusations of physically abusing toddlers at Punkin’ Doodles Day Care in Lindale. She faces six counts of injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury, rooted in evidence that emerged over a three-month period. The allegations arose after a staff member at the daycare discovered disturbing surveillance footage showing Guziejka allegedly kicking and pushing at least six toddlers on 134 separate occasions. This prompted the staff member to notify a victim’s father, who subsequently approached law enforcement, leading to an investigation by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigation into the daycare revealed deeply troubling incidents of abuse against extremely young children, predominantly two years old. The footage indicated that Guziejka had engaged in various acts of aggression toward these toddlers, including kicking a child in the lower back while he was lying on the floor and repeatedly kicking children in the back from behind while they were watching television. Overall, deputies noted that her actions were unprovoked and violent, occurring in contexts where the children were not being disruptive. This grim pattern of behavior spanned numerous weeks, with at least 21 documented instances where Guziejka visibly assaulted the children.
In addition to kicking, Guziejka was observed engaging in other physically aggressive behaviors, such as roughly adjusting napping toddlers and dragging them from their beds to a changing table. Many videos showed her pushing children’s heads down on the changing table to control their positioning, all while they seemed to display no signs of misbehavior. Some incidents displayed outright cruelty, including the appalling moment where Guziejka allegedly stood on a child’s hand for several seconds, causing evident distress as the toddler struggled to pull away. The lack of any comfort or attempted consolation from Guziejka further underscored the seemingly random and intent-driven nature of her actions.
Following the surfacing of these alarming allegations and subsequent investigations, Guziejka was terminated from her position on the same day the owner of the daycare was informed about her abusive conduct. The owner took immediate steps to ensure child safety by contacting law enforcement and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. The latter agency’s findings determined that Guziejka would be prohibited from working in any caregiving capacity, including at daycares, hospitals, or facilities caring for vulnerable individuals.
The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its review of the extensive surveillance footage, which has not only raised concerns about Guziejka’s behavior but also cast a shadow over the daycare environment. Such revelations have sparked broader discussions about the need for vigilant oversight in childcare settings and the importance of ensuring that children are cared for by responsible, trustworthy individuals. The shock of this incident has reverberated through the community, leading to significant concern for the wellbeing of children in similar care situations.
In a significant operational shift following these events, the Punkin’ Doodles Day Care has since been sold to a new owner. This transition underscores a desire for a fresh start and potentially improved oversight for the children who attend the facility. The new management, along with concerned community members and parents, will likely focus on ensuring the safety of children in their care, reinforcing the necessity for proactive measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Overall, this tragic case serves as a reminder of the vital trust parents place in daycare services, making it imperative that all measures are taken to protect vulnerable children from harm.
