Dover Woman Sentenced to Prison in Hartly Child Abuse Case

September 11, 2025/Joe Ciccanti

A Dover woman has been sentenced in a Hartly child abuse case. On September 10th, 26-year-old Kayla Manuszak received a 32-year prison term, suspended after four years, followed by probation, after pleading guilty to four counts of Child Abuse Third Degree. The case stemmed from a 2024 investigation at Hartly Early Learning Academy, where video showed her physically abusing six infants. The abuse happened between November 30th, 2023, and December 4th, 2023. Following her release, Manuszak will be barred from working with children, vulnerable adults, or animals and will be placed on the Child Abuse Registry. All of the victims have been medically evaluated and received the appropriate medical care. —
 

Additional Information from the Delaware Department of Justice:

 
On September 10, 2025, Kayla Manuszak, 26, was sentenced to 32 years of incarceration suspended after four years and followed by descending levels of probation after previously pleading guilty to four counts of Child Abuse Third Degree. Although the Delaware Sentencing Accountability (SENTAC) Guidelines for the convictions carry a presumptive sentence of probation only, the Judge sentenced above those Guidelines due to the circumstances of the case. The sentence follows an investigation into suspected abuse at the Hartly Early Learning Academy at 21 North Street in Hartly, Delaware; that investigation led to Manuszak’s arrest in February of 2024.  
“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. What I can say with complete certainty is that Manuszak will never, ever be permitted to be in a position to harm children ever again – the Delaware State Police and our DOJ staff have made absolutely sure of that, and I am grateful to them for it.” 
“Our hearts are with the children and families who endured such unimaginable harm,” said Colonel William D. Crotty, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police. “The courage it took for them to come forward and the strength they’ve shown throughout this process cannot be overstated. While no sentence can erase the pain caused, we hope this outcome brings some measure of healing and reassurance that those who harm our most vulnerable will be held fully accountable. That accountability was only possible because of the tireless work of our detectives and the strong partnership we share with the Department of Justice, for which I am deeply proud and grateful.” 
Between November 30, 2023, and December 4, 2023, Manuszak physically abused six infants under her care, ranging in age from five to fourteen months. Video footage obtained during the course of the investigation showed the defendant body slamming, throwing, pushing, kicking, and dropping the infants out of frustration. All of the victims have been medically evaluated and received the appropriate medical care. 
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.   

 

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