Employee Arrested on Felony Charges in Live Oak Daycare Facility Child Abuse Case
LIVE OAK, CA — October 15th 2025 — The Sutter County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of a Live Oak resident following an investigation into alleged child sexual abuse at a local licensed daycare facility. The arrest follows a report received by the Sheriff’s Office on October 13, 2025, regarding suspected abuse at Kruse Oralia Family Child Care Home, operating commercially as Kruse’s Playhouse Daycare.
Detectives from the Sheriff’s Investigations Unit commenced an immediate inquiry upon receiving the initial report. As part of the process, forensic interviews, referred to as MDIs, were conducted. The investigation subsequently generated reports alleging that an employee of the daycare, 63-year-old Steven Kruse, sexually abused multiple children while they were entrusted to his care.
Following further investigative work, Kruse was taken into custody. He has been booked on multiple felony charges, which include oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child under 10, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and dissuading a witness from reporting a crime.
The Sheriff’s Office has informed the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, about the allegations. That agency has opened an administrative investigation into the state-licensed facility. Furthermore, the Sutter County District Attorney’s Office has also been notified of the ongoing case. Authorities are requesting that anyone with information pertaining to this case or other potential victims contact Detective Rhiley Harrison or Sergeant Ernesto Chavez at the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office by calling (530) 822-7307.
