BLF Holds Children’s Courtyard Accountable for Abuse in Latest Lawsuit, Featured on CBS Austin

Children’s Courtyard in South Austin Faces Second Lawsuit Over Abuse

AUSTIN, Texas - In a troubling development, the daycare and child injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm have filed a second daycare abuse lawsuit against the South Austin Children’s Courtyard daycare following allegations captured on live camera footage.

CBS Austin reported on the lawsuit, which details the disturbing actions witnessed by an Austin mother as she checked on her 18-month-old daughter through the daycare’s live feed. The Button Law Firm, representing both lawsuits, aims to bring accountability and change to a facility with a troubling history of safety violations. 

Naptime Abuse Caught on Camera by Parent

According to the article, the mother initially saw a caregiver push a young child, causing her to fall to the ground and cry. Shocked, she began recording the footage with her phone. When her daughter entered the frame, the mother saw a daycare employee aggressively yank, dangle, and swing her daughter by the arms, ultimately dropping her onto a nap mat. The caregiver then reportedly pulled the mat, causing the toddler to fall face-first, yet made no effort to check if the child was injured.

Russell Button, the daycare and child injury lawyer representing the family, spoke to CBS Austin about the troubling footage. "The video captured her daughter being yanked and swung by the arm as if she were a doll," Button explained. “A caregiver made the toddler fall face-first without even checking if she was okay.” Button also noted that the daycare center failed to report the incident to the state, a legal requirement for any abuse allegation.

A Pattern of Negligence and Abuse at the Children’s Courtyard

This latest lawsuit follows another filed earlier this year by The Button Law Firm on behalf of a different Austin family. In that case, the family also relied on the daycare’s live feed to observe their child being mistreated.

According to CBS Austin, the previous lawsuit detailed how the father of a toddler witnessed a caregiver “smothering” his son with a blanket and slapping the child’s face. The lack of corrective action from the daycare center after this incident has raised questions about the facility’s commitment to child safety and proper caregiver conduct.

The Button Law Firm, through these lawsuits, hopes to shed light on systemic issues at Children’s Courtyard. “It is clear that systemic safety failures at The Children’s Courtyard are endangering innocent children,” Button said. “Texas has daycare safety laws in place to hold negligent facilities like The Children’s Courtyard accountable.”

A History of Violations at the Austin Daycare

The lawsuit also points to a troubling pattern of safety violations at the South Austin Children’s Courtyard. As CBS Austin reports, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission cited the daycare 25 times between October 2018 and March 2023. Issues included unqualified caregivers, the use of prohibited discipline tactics and neglecting to report incidents to the state. Since July 2023, the daycare has received an additional 50 citations for similar deficiencies, reflecting a serious and ongoing disregard for basic safety protocols.

Button emphasizes the need for accountability, noting that both lawsuits are seeking not only compensation but also systemic change. “The lack of concern for abuse allegations against one child led to another child being harmed. We’re committed to making sure Children’s Courtyard is held accountable and that these issues are addressed,” he said.

Bringing These Issues to Light and Holding Negligent Daycares Accountable

For the families involved, this fight goes beyond their cases. They are motivated by a shared desire to prevent future harm to children in similar situations. The Button Law Firm is dedicated to advocating for these families and ensuring that Children’s Courtyard is held accountable for the alleged mistreatment of children in its care.

Russell Button urges other parents who have witnessed or suspected daycare abuse to come forward. “These parents are bringing these issues to light to protect other children,” he said. Button’s law firm provides resources on its website, including guides on how to find a safe daycare and what steps to take if a child is injured in a daycare setting.

The lawsuits filed by The Button Law Firm aim to bring about lasting change and ensure that daycares like Children’s Courtyard adhere to the strict safety protocols required by Texas law. As Button noted in the CBS Austin feature, “Actions speak louder than words, and it’s time for facilities that fail our children to face the consequences.”

Reach Out to Our Team after a Daycare or Child Injury

If you have concerns about daycare safety or have experienced similar issues, our team at The Button Law Firm is here to help. Our commitment to advocating for families and holding negligent facilities accountable is at the core of our mission.

To reach a member of our team, call us at 214-699-4409, email us at [email protected], or fill out a contact form.