Kentucky Daycare Owners Arrested in Shocking Abuse Coverup

The owners of two Kentucky childcare facilities are facing serious charges after allegedly orchestrating a coverup of widespread child abuse at their centers. Jessica Houk and Theodrick Hersey, owners of A Step Ahead Daycare in Richmond and The Kids Club Childcare Center, along with manager Brooklyn Houk, were arrested Friday morning as part of an expanding investigation that has already implicated another employee, according to WKYT.

The trio faces charges of first-degree child abuse, failure to report abuse or neglect, and knowingly obstructing an investigation. Their arrests come just ten days after daycare employee Elizabeth Thomas was charged with fourth-degree assault and two counts of first-degree child abuse, in a case that has shocked the Madison County community and raised serious questions about oversight at childcare facilities.

“Lie to Investigators”: The Alleged Coverup

Court documents reveal a disturbing pattern of deliberate concealment by the daycare leadership. Text messages obtained by investigators allegedly show Jessica and Brooklyn Houk instructing employees to provide false information to state investigators regarding a potentially dangerous incident where a child escaped the facility and nearly accessed a major roadway.

“Employees told officers it was an effort to cover up the truth. One staffer gave false statements to investigators but later retracted,” according to arrest citations reviewed by local media. This attempt to obstruct the investigation appears to have extended to multiple incidents over a considerable period.

Richmond Police Chief Rodney Richardson told FOX 56 that the investigation began on March 27 after authorities received multiple complaints of abuse. Court documents indicate that the owners and manager were aware of and actively concealed various instances of child abuse and neglect, including strangulation, sexual abuse, and assault.

The most troubling aspect of the case may be that the alleged coverup enabled continued abuse. According to investigators, Thomas had been written up for hitting a child in March 2023, an incident captured on video, but was allowed to keep her job. The owners allegedly failed to report this incident as required by law, a decision that police believe led to the abuse of five additional children.

School Connections Deepen Community Concern

The case has raised particular alarm in the community due to the defendants’ connections to local school systems. Hersey, who recently divorced Jessica Houk according to court records, was employed by Fayette County Public Schools as a district mental health specialist. The district has placed him on administrative leave pending the investigation.

“Fayette County Public Schools is aware of the situation involving Theo Hersey. Due to the ongoing investigation and the confidential nature of personnel matters, we are limited in what we can share at this time. However, we can confirm that the employee has been placed on administrative leave,” said district spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith in a statement.

Similarly, Thomas, the daycare employee first charged in the investigation, also works for Madison County Schools in the transportation department. She has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, according to a district spokesperson.

These connections to school systems have amplified community concerns about the vetting and supervision of childcare workers, particularly those with access to vulnerable children across multiple settings.

Pattern of Serious Allegations

The investigation has uncovered a pattern of particularly troubling incidents. Thomas is accused of depriving a child of certain foods required by a specialized diet plan due to a health condition. According to court documents, other allegations include one child being strangled and another punched by a worker.

Additionally, court records indicate that a parent expressed concern about possible sexual abuse by an employee, but this allegation was not reported to authorities as required by law. Kentucky is a mandatory reporting state, meaning that childcare workers and administrators are legally obligated to report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect.

The failure to report these incidents could potentially result in additional charges as the investigation continues. Richmond Police executed a search warrant before taking the three suspects into custody early Friday morning.

Legal Proceedings and Community Response

All three defendants were booked into the Madison County Detention Center with bonds set at $15,000 each. Court records indicate that Thomas, who was arrested earlier in the investigation, posted bond on April 8 and has been released pending trial.

The case has prompted renewed discussions about childcare oversight and the importance of thorough background checks for those working with children. Parents whose children attended the facilities have expressed shock and concern, with many questioning how such alleged abuse could continue despite prior incidents being documented.

Local child advocacy organizations have emphasized the importance of proper reporting channels and the critical role that supervisors and owners play in ensuring children’s safety. They note that Kentucky law requires childcare facilities to report suspected abuse immediately, and failure to do so not only violates the law but potentially exposes more children to harm.

As the investigation continues, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges or arrests. Parents with children who attended either A Step Ahead Daycare or The Kids Club Childcare Center are being encouraged to contact the Richmond Police Department if they have any information or concerns about possible unreported incidents.