Key Takeaways
- Noah Hoefler, a 24-year-old from Rochester, NY, was arrested after a child sex abuse investigation related to his job at Doodle Bugs! Children’s Learning Academy.
- Authorities are still searching for more victims, and parents are encouraged to reach out if they suspect their child may have been affected.
- A civil investigation may examine whether responsible institutions missed warning signs during hiring, whether supervision was adequate, whether staff interactions were properly monitored, and whether effective reporting procedures were in place.
Noah Hoefler Arrested After Child Sex Abuse Investigation
Noah Robert Hoefler, 24, of Rochester, New York, was arrested following a child sex abuse investigation connected to his employment at Doodle Bugs! Children’s Learning Academy in Greece, NY.
Another former staff member of Doodle Bugs! told 13WHAM “anonymously about some alleged past incidents involving Hoefler.” She asked a child what was happening and he told her “he wasn’t allowed to say anything. And I said: ‘Well, why not?’ He said: ‘Noah told me I’m not supposed to.’” The child then told the employee about inappropriate contact that had occurred with Hoefler. She then reported the incident.
According to New York State Police, the investigation began after authorities received a referral from Child Protective Services. Authorities conducted forensic interviews and gathered evidence. According to authorities, Hoefler met the children through his employment at the daycare, but the alleged abuse occurred outside the facility under Hoefler’s supervision.
On February 3, 2026, Hoefler voluntarily surrendered pursuant to an agreement between his attorney and police.
Hoefler was originally charged with first-degree sexual abuse, which is a felony, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, which is a misdemeanor. He was charged for alleged sexual contact involving a 3-year-old child, but multiple alleged victims have been identified.
Hoefler has pleaded guilty to one count of endangering the welfare of a child. His sentencing is scheduled for April 7, 2026, in Greece Town Court.
Former Coworker Describes Concerning Behavior
“‘He deserves to be locked up 100%. If it was me, he doesn’t deserve to see the light of day ever, because those were children,’” a former coworker of Hoefler’s told Rochester First.
She agreed to speak to them on the condition of anonymity. “She said she witnessed several instances of strange behavior or comments from Hoefler toward the children,” reported Rochester First. This included one time when he was changing a child’s diaper and kept making comments about the child’s private area.
“She said she reported the odd behaviors to management but never heard back from them.’I know one of the managers took him out and said, like, ‘You are not welcome back here,’ she said. ‘They didn’t let him back on the premises.’”
Multiple news outlets reached out to Doodle Bugs! management for comment, but no response was provided.
Authorities Are Looking for More Victims
Authorities believe that there may be more victims in the case of Noah Hoefler.
NY State Trooper Lynnea Crane says that they are trying to identify more victims.
If your child may have been a victim of Noah Hoefler, please reach out to New York State Police Troop E Public Information Officer, Trooper Crane, at (585) 398-4169 (office), (585) 944-8483 (cell), or email: LYNNEA.CRANE@troopers.ny.gov.
The Impact of Abuse on Victims and Families
Child sexual abuse cases are deeply devastating. When harm is alleged against someone entrusted with a child’s care, the sense of betrayal can feel overwhelming. Families are often left navigating uncertainty, trying to protect their child while processing their own shock and grief.
Parents place extraordinary trust in daycare providers, believing their children are safe in those environments. When that trust is broken, it can alter how parents view institutions and supervision moving forward. Questions about how access was gained, whether warning signs were missed, and whether more could have been done often linger.
For children, early trauma can affect their sense of safety, trust, and stability. The impact of sexual abuse may not always be immediate or fully understood at the moment, and healing is often a gradual, deeply personal process.
Oversight in Daycare Settings
When child sex abuse allegations arise involving a daycare employee, families understandably have urgent questions, including:
- Were there warning signs that this individual posed a risk to children?
- Were complaints made, and if so, were they documented and investigated promptly?
- Were supervision policies strictly enforced?
Childcare centers are entrusted with very young children, and families rely on those institutions to protect them. That trust demands careful screening, active supervision, and strict compliance with mandatory reporting obligations.
Civil Accountability
Criminal law focuses on holding an individual accountable for the crimes they may have committed.
Civil law serves a different purpose. A civil investigation may examine whether warning signs were missed during hiring, whether children were left unsupervised, whether staff interactions were adequately monitored, and whether effective reporting and accountability procedures were in place.
Civil accountability can help uncover systemic failures, drive meaningful reform, and reduce the risk of future harm. It can also provide survivors with financial resources for counseling, medical care, and long-term recovery.
Your Legal Rights
If your child attended Doodle Bugs! Children’s Learning Academy in Greece, New York, and may have been a victim of Noah Hoefler, know that you are not alone. Help is available.
Andreozzi + Foote represents survivors of child sexual abuse nationwide, including cases involving daycare centers and other institutions entrusted with children’s safety.
Our team is trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and committed to helping survivors and their families understand their rights. There is no obligation to move forward with a legal case simply by seeking information.
Your voice deserves to be heard, and our attorneys are ready to listen.
Contact us today.
Image sources: Noah Hoefler, courtesy of New York State Police. Doodle Bugs! Children’s Learning Academy, © Google, Google Maps.
