The owners of two Kentucky childcare facilities face serious charges for allegedly orchestrating a cover-up of widespread child abuse at their facilities.
Jessica Houk and Theodrick Hersey, owners of A Step Ahead Daycare in Richmond and The Kids Club Childcare Center, and manager Brooklyn Houk were arrested Friday morning as part of an ongoing investigation that has already implicated another employee, according to WKYT.
The trio is charged with first-degree child abuse, failure to report abuse or neglect, and knowingly obstructing an investigation.
Their arrests come just ten days after Elizabeth Thomas, a daycare employee, was charged with fourth-degree assault and two counts of first-degree child abuse, in a case that shocked the Madison County community and raised serious concerns about childcare oversight.
“Lie to Investigators”: The Alleged Coverup
Court documents show a disturbing pattern of deliberate concealment by daycare leaders. Text messages obtained by investigators allegedly show Jessica and Brooklyn Houk instructing employees to provide false information to state investigators about a potentially dangerous incident in which a child escaped the facility and nearly crossed a major highway.
“Employees told officers it was an attempt to conceal the truth. According to arrest citations reviewed by local media, one staffer made false statements to investigators before later retracting them. This attempt to obstruct the investigation appears to have spanned several incidents over a lengthy period.
Richmond Police Chief Rodney Richardson told FOX 56 that the investigation began on March 27 after authorities received multiple reports of abuse. Court documents show that the owners and manager were aware of and actively concealed various forms of child abuse and neglect, such as strangulation, sexual abuse, and assault.
The most troubling aspect of the case could be that the alleged coverup allowed for continued abuse. According to investigators, Thomas was written up for hitting a child in March 2023, which was caught on video, but she was allowed to keep her job. The owners allegedly failed to report the incident as required by law, which police believe resulted in the abuse of five additional children.
School Connections Deepen Community Concern
The case has sparked particular concern in the community due to the defendants’ connections to local school systems. According to court records, Hersey recently divorced Jessica Houk and worked for 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 with Theo Hersey. We are currently limited in our ability to share information due to the ongoing investigation and the confidential nature of personnel matters. In a statement, district spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith confirmed that the employee has been placed on administrative leave.
Similarly, Thomas, the first daycare employee charged in the investigation, works in Madison County Schools’ transportation department. A district spokesperson confirmed that she has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
These connections to school systems have raised community concerns about the vetting and supervision of childcare workers, particularly those who work with vulnerable children in multiple settings.
Pattern of Serious Allegations
The investigation revealed a pattern of particularly troubling incidents. Thomas is accused of denying a child certain foods required by a specialized diet plan due to a medical condition.
Court documents allege that one child was strangled and another was punched by a worker.
Furthermore, court records show that a parent expressed concern about possible sexual abuse by an employee, but the allegation was not reported to authorities as required by law.
Kentucky is a mandatory reporting state, which means that childcare providers and administrators are legally required to report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect.
The failure to report these incidents may result in additional charges as the investigation continues. Richmond Police executed a search warrant before arresting the three suspects early Friday morning.
Legal Proceedings and Community Response
All three defendants were booked into the Madison County Detention Center and bond was set at $15,000 each. Court records show that Thomas, who was arrested earlier in the investigation, posted bond on April 8 and was released pending trial.
The case has reignited debate about childcare oversight and the significance of thorough background checks for those who work with children.
Parents whose children attended the facilities have expressed shock and concern, with many wondering how such alleged abuse could persist despite prior incidents being documented.
Local child advocacy organizations have emphasized the importance of proper reporting channels, as well as the critical role of supervisors and owners in ensuring children’s safety.
They point out that Kentucky law requires childcare facilities to report suspected abuse immediately, and failing to do so not only violates the law but may expose additional children to harm.
As the investigation continues, officials have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges or arrests. Parents of children who attended A Step Ahead Daycare or The Kids Club Childcare Center are encouraged to contact the Richmond Police Department if they have any information or concerns about potentially unreported incidents.
