Lindale, TX – A 45-year-old Texas day care worker has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after investigators uncovered 134 separate instances of child abuse on security camera footage, showing her repeatedly assaulting toddlers at a Lindale day care over several months. Prosecutors described the attacks as “an ongoing thing for no reason.”
Day Care Abuse Uncovered After Security Footage Review
According to court records, Catherine Guziejka worked at Punkin’ Doodles Day Care in Lindale, about 200 miles north of Houston. Between July and October 2024, she was captured on video abusing at least six 2-year-old children.
The abuse came to light in October 2024, when an employee reviewing routine security footage saw Guziejka kick a 2-year-old boy in the lower back while he was sitting quietly on the floor. Shocked, the employee immediately contacted the child’s father, who filed a police report with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office on October 23, 2024.
Investigators subsequently reviewed months of footage and documented 134 separate assaults. Many followed the same disturbing pattern:
- A toddler sat peacefully watching television
- Guziejka approached from behind
- She kicked the child in the lower back with her right foot
“They were just sitting still and quiet and it happened,” said Assistant District Attorney Richard Vance, emphasizing that the assaults were not tied to misbehavior or stressful conditions.
Patterns of Abuse: Kicking, Dragging, and Forcing Children Into Painful Positions
Investigators reported multiple forms of abusive behavior beyond kicking. The footage allegedly showed Guziejka:
- Standing on toddlers’ hands
- Dragging sleeping children by the arm to changing tables
- Forcefully repositioning toddlers while they slept
- Pushing their heads down to force them to face walls during diaper changes
- Grabbing and moving children roughly, even when they were resting
The former owner of the day care, Melanie Dawn Law, confirmed to law enforcement that she reviewed the footage and found over 100 incidents of abuse dating back to July 2024. She said Guziejka, who had been hired in September 2023, was fired immediately after the abuse came to light, and all evidence was turned over to investigators.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
In September 2025, Guziejka pleaded guilty to injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury, a third-degree felony in Texas.
On Wednesday, she was sentenced to 10 years in prison, the maximum penalty allowed under the statute.
“This wasn’t just an instance where there was a lot going on and she just lost it,” Vance said.
“This was just an ongoing thing for no reason.”
Prosecutors noted that while the victims did not sustain severe physical injuries, the emotional impact could last for years.
“It could be years from now and something could trigger them,” Vance said, emphasizing long-term mental health concerns.
Guziejka’s attorneys reportedly argued that her low IQ, said to be below 80% of the population, contributed to her behavior. Prosecutors, however, maintained that the repeated, intentional nature of the abuse justified the full sentence.
Statements from Officials and Day Care Management
Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said it was fortunate none of the toddlers suffered more serious injuries, describing the physical harm as ranging from minor to medium bruising. He emphasized that the volume of incidents made the case especially alarming.
The day care’s former owner, Law, expressed shock at the extent of the abuse after reviewing the footage. She told investigators she had no prior concerns about Guziejka’s behavior until the footage revealed the pattern of violence.
Parents of the victims expressed relief at the sentence but were frustrated it could not be longer given the extent of harm. Texas law caps third-degree felonies at 10 years in prison, which prosecutors said prevented a harsher punishment.
Background: Day Care Safety and Supervision
Cases like this underscore ongoing concerns about childcare oversight, staff training, and facility monitoring. Child protection experts say security cameras often play a crucial role in detecting silent abuse, especially in facilities with very young children who cannot report mistreatment.
Texas day care centers are required to follow strict staffing and supervision standards, but advocates argue that more frequent reviews of security footage and stronger vetting procedures could prevent similar cases.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Catherine Guziejka marks the end of a disturbing chapter for families whose toddlers were repeatedly harmed under her care. Though the physical injuries were limited, officials warn the emotional impact on these children may be long-lasting. As the families move forward, they continue to call for stronger protections to ensure no child endures such abuse again.
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