A Delaware County woman, Rhonda Coomes, 53, received a 42-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to charges of child endangerment involving 14 children at her in-home daycare in Radnor. NBC4i reported that the sentence was the maximum possible for the charges, amounting to three years per charge, served consecutively. Three counts of kidnapping initially brought against Coomes were dismissed following her guilty plea.
According to documents from Delaware Common Pleas Court, cited by WBNS, Coomes was indicted in April 2024. The indictment came after an investigation into complaints of the abuse, which reportedly included striking an infant multiple times in the face, hitting children with complex objects, and physically throwing a child. Coomes initially entered a plea of not guilty because of insanity but later changed her plea to guilty.
The severity of Coomes' actions came to light through video evidence obtained by the Delaware County Sheriff's Office, showcasing the abusive conditions within her daycare. "Justice was served today for Coomes who took unthinkable actions against innocent children and broke the trust placed with her by many parents," stated Delaware County Prosecutor Melissa Schiffel in a media release obtained by ABC6. Authorities encourage the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicions of child abuse to the appropriate channels.
During court proceedings, video evidence presented depicted Coomes engaging in a range of abusive acts, including slapping children, forcing utensils down their throats, and handling them roughly. She had more children in her care than legally permitted and had attempted to circumvent regulations by hiding children from state inspectors. "As I watched the videos, I kind of got sick to my stomach," according to the ABC6 News report. The judge described the difficulty in processing the case's content. Parents testified that their children endured physical and mental harm under Coomes' care, with one parent hoping their children would one day be able to forget what happened to them.
