Judge condemns ‘unforgettable’ abuse as day care owner sentenced to 42 years

Warning: This article contains mention of child abuse. Please take care while reading.

When Rhonda Coombs’ crimes surfaced, as a mother myself, I felt pure horror and was sick to my stomach. A person meant to protect children, instead tormented them. Her 42-year sentence is justice, but no punishment can undo the fear, abuse, and betrayal those kids endured at her hands.

This case is not just about one woman’s monstrous actions. It’s about the strength of the parents who fought for justice, the system that finally delivered the largest sentence possible, and the lingering scars that will take years, if not lifetimes, to heal.  

Some news stories shake you to your core as a parent. This was one of them.

A betrayal of trust

Rhonda Coombs ran a day care in Radnor, Ohio, where parents believed their children would be safe, cared for, and nurtured. Instead, the evidence presented in court painted a nightmarish picture. Coombs physically assaulted children, force-fed them until they gagged, shoved a spoon down a baby’s throat, and made terrifying threats. One video reportedly captured her turning to the children after an attack and asking, “Who’s next?”  

Judge James Shuck, who presided over the case, did not mince words. He called the evidence “nauseating” and noted that Coombs had even broken Ohio law by overcrowding her day care. When investigators came to her home, she allegedly hid children in cars and a camper to avoid detection. Initially, she pleaded not guilty due to insanity but later changed her plea to guilty. Here is the initial news release from when she changed her plea.

The parents’ voices

One of the most powerful moments in this case for me was hearing from the parents. Their impact statements were raw and heartbreaking. One mother shared how her children still suffer from fear and anxiety after their time with Coombs.  “It was every day. ‘Why do I have to go to Rhonda’s house? She is mean to me, Mommy. She scares me.’”

She described how her child would run to her at pickup time, crying as if she had been “saved” from something awful. That is not how day care should be. That is not how any child should feel when left in the care of an adult.  

Another parent spoke through tears, saying, “I hope one day they forget everything she ever did to them. Truly, I do.” That statement stayed with me. As parents, we do everything to protect our kids, but when harm has already been done, all we can hope for is healing.

A rare and just sentence

Far too often, abuse cases end with sentences that feel like a slap on the wrist. It’s frustrating and disheartening. But in this case, Coombs received the maximum possible sentence, which is 42 years.

Judge Shuck made it clear that anyone doubting the severity of the punishment should watch the evidence for themselves. The prosecutor, Mark Sleeper, called the videos “gut-wrenching,” saying the screaming and wailing of the children was something no one could ever forget.  

For once, the justice system acknowledged the depth of the damage done to these children and their families. It’s a small victory in a case that never should have happened in the first place.

The importance of speaking up

This case only came to light because someone made an anonymous report of child abuse. That person’s actions led to an investigation that saved children from further harm and ultimately held Coombs accountable.   

Abuse cases don’t always end like this. Too often, the victims are silenced, justice is delayed or denied, and the abuser walks away with a light sentence. But not this time. This time, the court recognized the weight of what happened.  

The fear on those children’s faces was, as the judge put it, “unforgettable.” But so is the resilience of the parents who fought for justice. Their voices mattered. Their pain was heard. And that is something worth remembering. 

If you suspect child abuse, please speak up. It can be hard to take that step, but one phone call can make all the difference. You can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.