A former daycare worker in Johnson County, Kansas, has been sentenced to 10 years in state prison after being caught on surveillance camera physically abusing infants. The disturbing incidents included kicking a child in the chest and throwing another one on the floor. Prosecutors revealed the sentence during a hearing at the Johnson County District Court on Friday.
The convicted individual, Rachel Beth Schrader, 26, from Kansas City, Kansas, pleaded guilty to four felony counts of child abuse in March. These abusive acts occurred while she was employed at Shawnee Mission Christian School Wee Care, which is a part of the private Shawnee Mission Christian School under the administration of Olivet Baptist Church.
An investigation was launched by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office in March 2021, triggered by concerns raised by Schrader’s colleagues. The staff members reported an injury to a child, prompting a review of the surveillance footage from the infant room.
Upon reviewing the footage, it was discovered that Schrader had engaged in approximately 170 incidents of child abuse over a 24-day period. As captured on video, she kicked an infant in the chest, causing the child to fall and hit their head on the floor. Another video showed her forcefully slamming a baby onto the floor and kicking them in the hip.
The investigation identified four infants as victims of Schrader’s abuse. During a police interview, she admitted to losing her patience on one occasion but denied any consistent pattern of mistreatment.
In addition to the criminal case, several parents filed civil lawsuits against Shawnee Mission Christian School Wee Care, alleging negligence in failing to address concerns about Schrader’s abusive behavior for an extended period.
Online records indicate that three of the civil cases filed in Johnson County District Court have been settled.
