Dover Woman Sentenced to Prison in Child Abuse Case

HARTLY, Del. – A Dover woman has been sentenced to prison time following a guilty plea in a child abuse case in Hartly.

On Wednesday, 26-year-old Kayla Manuszak was sentenced to 32 years of incarceration suspended after four years, followed by descending levels of probation after previously pleading guilty to four counts of third degree child abuse. Manuszak physically abused six infants, aged five to 14 months, that were under her care while employed at the Hartly Early Learning Academy. Video footage obtained during the course of the investigation showed the Manuszak body slamming, throwing, pushing, kicking, and dropping the infants out of frustration.

Delaware Sentencing Accountability (SENTAC) Guidelines for third degree child abuse convictions carry a presumptive sentence of probation only. However, the Judge in this case sentenced above those guidelines due to the circumstances of the crime committed.

“It’s difficult to put the shocking and detestable nature of Kayla Manuszak’s crimes into words,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “There are few greater betrayals than that of someone abusing children whose care they were entrusted with.”

Following her release, Manuszak will be unable to apply for employment or volunteer in any capacity with children under the age of 18, the elderly, those with disabilities, or animals. She will also be placed on Level III of the Child Abuse Registry.