Southwest
Texas day care worker allegedly kicked toddlers more than 100 times, stood on their hands as punishment
A Texas day care worker was arrested on accusations she kicked and pushed at least six toddlers over a three-month period.
Catherine Guziejka, 44, was booked into the Smith County Jail on Oct. 30 on six counts of injury to a child with the intent to cause bodily injury. She remains in custody, according to local outlet CBS 19.
A staffer at Punkin’ Doodles Day Care in Lindale, Texas, allegedly came across footage of some of the incidents. That staffer then notified a victim’s father, who contacted investigators.
The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is still reviewing surveillance footage from the day care, CBS 19 reported.
FLORIDA DAYCARE WORKER ALLEGEDLY ANGRILY HIT CHILD, THREW HER TO FLOOR DURING TIMEOUT
Catherine Guziejka, 44, is facing six counts of injury to a child with the intent to cause bodily injury after allegedly kicking and pushing toddlers at the day care where she worked. (Smith County Jail records)
The sheriff’s office said Guziejka was seen in the footage kicking six toddlers on 134 separate occasions between July and October. In one incident, Guziejka allegedly kicked a 2-year-old boy in his lower back while he was lying on the floor.
Many of the videos showed a child watching TV when Guziejka allegedly came from behind and kicked them in the back.
The kicking incidents were observed on about 21 separate occasions, and the children were all two years old.
Several videos appeared to show her walking around as the children napped and aggressively adjusting them or moving them. Toddlers were also pulled from their beds during naptime and dragged by their arms to a changing table.
Catherine Guziejka, 44, was booked into the Smith County Jail on Oct. 30. (iStock)
In several videos, Guziejka allegedly laid kids on the changing table aggressively, pushing their heads down and forcing them to face the wall as they attempted to look in the direction of the TV.
She is also accused of punishing some toddlers by standing on their hands.
A video showed Guziejka allegedly standing on a child’s left hand for seven seconds as the child attempted to pull their hand away in pain.
Deputies said the children were not being disruptive in the videos before Guziejka appeared to assault them. Deputies also said she was not seen attempting to console or comfort the children.
GEORGIA DAYCARE EMPLOYEE ARRESTED AFTER ASSAULTING CHILD ON VIDEO: POLICE
The sheriff’s office said Guziejka was allegedly caught on video kicking six toddlers on 134 separate occasions between July and October. (iStock)
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The sheriff’s office said it was apparent that Guziejka’s actions were random, intentional, unprovoked, violent in nature and done for the sole intent of inflicting pain.
Guziejka, who first began working at the day care in September 2023, was fired the day the day care’s owner learned of the abuse against the children.
The owner said she immediately called law enforcement and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate Guziejka’s behavior. The agency determined she could no longer work at any day care, hospital, nursing home or facility that cares for vulnerable people.
The day care has since been sold to a new owner.
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A former Riverside County man was found guilty of sex trafficking a female victim and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts along L.A.’s notorious Figueroa Corridor.
Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, formerly of Perris, was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Prosecutors said Shabazz had led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before he turned physically and sexually violent. He began demanding that the victim engage in commercial sex acts from May to October of 2021, court documents said.
He carried a handgun with him and, on occasion, was accused of using it to pistol-whip the victim. He also fired the gun at her feet while threatening to kill her, prosecutors said.
At trial, the victim said Shabazz demanded that she meet a daily quota of commercial sex proceeds and that she was terrified of the consequences of not meeting that quota.
She testified that Shabazz compelled her to work in the notorious Figueroa Corridor in South L.A., a dangerous area known for human trafficking and prostitution.
Shabazz had confiscated her identification card, Social Security card and birth certificate. He constantly monitored her cell phone to stop her from communicating with any friends or family.
“He also introduced her to addictive narcotics and controlled every aspect of her life, including when she ate, slept and showered,” prosecutors said.
In May 2025, Shabazz was arrested and has remained in federal custody. His last known address at the time was in Washington, D.C.
On June 26, 2026, Shabazz was found guilty of one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6, where he faces 15 years to life in prison.
“Sex trafficking matters rank among the most tragic cases our office prosecutes,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This defendant will now face many years in a federal prison cell for his sick, disgusting, and disturbing behavior.”
“Elias Shabazz preyed on a vulnerable victim using physical and sexual violence and cruel psychological coercion to compel commercial sex acts for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “There is no place for this type of conduct in civilized society. We deeply respect the victim’s courage to face her trafficker in court. The Criminal Division will continue to bring these cases and try them.”
Anyone with information about human trafficking can report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888
The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]
A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]
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