The Facts Showcases Austin Daycare Facing New Lawsuit and How BLF is Holding Them Accountable

Austin Daycare Abuse Lawsuit: BLF Takes Action Against The Children’s Courtyard

AUSTIN, Texas - In another alarming case of daycare abuse, The Button Law Firm has filed a second lawsuit against The Children’s Courtyard in South Austin. The Facts reported on the case, highlighting disturbing details from the lawsuit filed on behalf of Janese Milivojevic, who claims she witnessed caregivers at the daycare abusing her 18-month-old daughter and other toddlers through a live surveillance feed.

This lawsuit comes two months after the daycare and child injury lawyers at BLF filed a similar complaint on behalf of another Austin family, suggesting systemic safety issues and negligence.

Parent Captures Abuse on Daycare Livestream

The lawsuit filed by Milivojevic states that on her daughter’s second day at the daycare in May 2023, she observed caregivers treating her daughter and another toddler with shocking aggression. According to The Facts, Milivojevic watched as a caregiver pushed a young girl to the ground and walked away, leaving the child crying. Shocked by what she saw, Milivojevic began recording the footage on her smartphone.

As the video continued, she observed the caregiver handling her daughter roughly, allegedly yanking, swinging, and dropping the toddler onto a nap mat. At one point, the caregiver reportedly pulled the mat, causing the child to fall face-first, yet failed to check if she was injured. The complaint also describes how another caregiver handled a little boy similarly, forcefully tossing him onto a mat and covering him with a blanket in a manner that appeared aggressive and inappropriate.

Immediate Action and a Troubling Response from the Daycare

After witnessing this, Milivojevic left work and immediately withdrew her daughter from The Children’s Courtyard. She reported the incident to the daycare’s director, only to receive a delayed response a week later. The Facts reports that Milivojevic was told “corrective actions” had been taken, though she later discovered that the caregivers involved were not terminated, nor was the incident reported to state authorities, as required by Texas law.

The Button Law Firm, known for its dedication to advocating for child safety, is now representing both Milivojevic and Alexis Dominguez, the mother of the boy allegedly mistreated in the same footage. The Dominguez family’s lawsuit claims they observed similar abuse of their son at the daycare, two months after Milivojevic’s experience. According to The Facts, these lawsuits aim to hold The Children’s Courtyard accountable for its alleged negligence and to bring awareness to the ongoing safety concerns at the facility.

A History of Violations at The Children’s Courtyard

The Children’s Courtyard has a concerning history of safety violations. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission cited the daycare 25 times between October 2018 and March 2023 for issues related to caregiver training, prohibited disciplinary tactics, and failure to report incidents. According to The Facts, since July 2023, the center has received an additional 50 citations, including instances of unqualified staff, hygiene deficiencies, and failure to adhere to state-mandated safety protocols.

Russell Button, founder and lawyer at The Button Law Firm, emphasized the significance of these repeated violations in his statement to The Facts. “It is clear that systemic safety failures at The Children’s Courtyard are endangering innocent children,” Button said. “The lack of concern for abuse allegations against one child led to another child being harmed. Texas has daycare safety laws in place to hold negligent facilities like The Children’s Courtyard accountable.”

Seeking Accountability and Life-Changing Results

Milivojevic’s decision to take legal action is driven by a desire for accountability and to prevent further harm to children in similar settings. “My heart sank when I saw my daughter and other children being harmed by the adults who were supposed to protect them,” she said. “Working parents should not have to balance their job responsibilities with monitoring a daycare’s livestream to ensure their child’s safety.”

For families impacted by incidents like these, The Button Law Firm is committed to pursuing justice and holding negligent daycare centers accountable. As Button emphasized, these cases highlight the importance of adherence to Texas daycare safety laws and reinforce the need for systemic change. The firm continues to provide guidance and support to families navigating the aftermath of daycare abuse incidents, advocating for safer environments where children can thrive.

If your child was injured at daycare, we are ready to listen and fight for your family to get justice and help you move forward. Get a free consultation by calling us at 214-699-4409, emailing us at [email protected], or filling out a contact form.