Former Preschool Teacher Sentenced for Abusing Children

Janelle L. Bobb pleaded no contest to child endangerment charges after video showed her grabbing and mistreating young students.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:19pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a child's small hand with visible red marks, conveying the stark, gritty aftermath of physical abuse.The harsh reality of abuse by a trusted caregiver leaves lasting marks on young victims.Centre Hall Today

A former preschool teacher in State College, Pennsylvania has been sentenced to 8 to 23.5 months in jail for physically abusing several young children in her care. Janelle L. Bobb, 43, pleaded no contest to a felony count of child endangerment after video footage showed her grabbing, shoving, and mistreating 3-year-old and younger students at the Building Bridges School for Early Learning. The abuse shattered families' trust and led to behavioral issues in the affected children.

Why it matters

This case highlights the devastating impact that abuse by a trusted caregiver can have on young children and their families. It raises concerns about oversight and accountability in the childcare industry, as well as the need for stronger measures to protect vulnerable students from mistreatment.

The details

According to court documents, Bobb was caught on video grabbing five young boys by the face and head, using force that exceeded disciplinary standards. The incidents occurred on three separate days in June, when Bobb was the only teacher present in the classroom. Video footage showed Bobb grabbing a crying child under the chin, squeezing his cheeks, and pushing his head away, leaving him with an inflamed scratch on his face. She was also accused of pulling a child by the arm and lifting another child's pants so forcefully that his feet left the ground, causing him to fall.

  • The abuse incidents occurred in June.
  • Bobb pleaded no contest to the charges in January.
  • She was sentenced on March 28, 2026.

The players

Janelle L. Bobb

A 43-year-old former teacher at the Building Bridges School for Early Learning who was convicted of child endangerment for physically abusing several young students in her care.

Matt Metzger

The Centre County Deputy District Attorney who prosecuted the case against Bobb.

Building Bridges School for Early Learning

The preschool where Bobb worked and where the abuse incidents occurred.

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What they’re saying

“This is the worst nightmare that can come from this experience.”

— Matt Metzger, Centre County Deputy District Attorney

“My wife and I will never forget what you did.”

— Unnamed father of one of the abused children

“Healing does not address what she did.”

— Unnamed mother of one of the abused children

What’s next

Bobb is due to report to the Centre County Correctional Facility on Tuesday to begin serving her sentence.

The takeaway

This case underscores the critical need for rigorous background checks, ongoing training, and robust oversight mechanisms in the childcare industry to prevent abuse and protect vulnerable young children. It also highlights the lasting trauma that can result when a trusted caregiver betrays that trust.