Daycare Injury Lawyer Discusses Recent Punkin’ Doodles Case on Law&Crime Sidebar Podcast

Recently, we had the opportunity to join Jesse Weber on the Law&Crime Sidebar Podcast to discuss allegations against Punkin’ Doodles Day Care in Lindale, Texas.

Over a three-month period, surveillance footage reportedly captured a daycare worker repeatedly abusing toddlers—kicking, pushing, and mishandling them on 21 separate occasions. These revelations have horrified the community and brought systemic issues in daycare oversight and accountability into sharp focus.

Russell Button, daycare and child injury lawyer at The Button Law Firm, discussed this case, its implications, and how BLF handles daycare abuse cases to bring justice and change.

Watch the full interview by clicking here.

What Happened at Punkin’ Doodles Day Care

The podcast delved into the heartbreaking details of what occurred at Punkin’ Doodles. These innocent children allegedly endured routine abuse at the hands of a trusted caregiver—actions that could have and should have been prevented. The daycare’s surveillance system recorded the incidents, yet the abuse continued for four months without intervention.

While the individual responsible has been arrested and faces multiple felony charges of injury to a child, the story doesn’t end there. The larger question remains: how did the daycare allow this to happen?

Button discussed how this case is a painful reminder of the dangers that can arise from inadequate training, negligent hiring practices, and a failure to supervise staff. He highlighted that state records show Punkin’ Doodles had already been cited for failing to have written policies on preventing and responding to child abuse—a glaring oversight.

Paths Forward for the Families Involved

The affected families are now navigating three critical paths, all of which intersect:

1. Criminal Justice: Law enforcement and the district attorney’s office are actively pursuing charges against the caregiver. As more footage is reviewed, additional charges may arise.
2. Civil Accountability: Punkin’ Doodles bears significant responsibility. The daycare was legally obligated to ensure its staff was adequately trained, supervised, and qualified to provide a safe environment. The repeated nature of the abuse points to systemic failures, not just the actions of one individual.
3. Reporting to the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS): Filing a report with DFPS initiates an independent investigation that can uncover additional violations and help hold the daycare accountable for broader systemic issues. This step is also critical for ensuring the daycare's violations are documented and flagged to prevent further harm to other children.

If you want to report your daycare but are unsure how to, read our step-by-step instructions on reporting daycare abuse in any state.

Ultimately, the most crucial step for parents is ensuring their children are okay mentally and physically. The long-term impact on these children cannot be overstated. Abuse at such a young age can lead to developmental regressions, nightmares, anxiety, and trust issues. Ensuring these children receive appropriate therapy and support is critical for their healing.

Accountability When A Daycare Closes or Changes Management

One critical issue Button addressed on the podcast is the question of accountability when a daycare closes or is sold. In the Punkin’ Doodles case, the owner—who also served as the daycare’s director—reportedly sold the daycare after the abuse allegations came to light.

For families seeking justice, this change in ownership does not erase the daycare’s responsibility. When children are harmed due to negligence, the daycare and its former owner can still be held legally accountable, regardless of whether the business is sold or shut down.

Under Texas law, daycare owners and directors have a legal duty to ensure the safety of children in their care. This includes proper hiring, thorough training, adequate supervision, and adherence to state regulations. If any of these duties are neglected, resulting in harm to a child, the daycare and its leadership remain liable—even after a sale.

At The Button Law Firm, we’ve handled cases where daycares tried to avoid accountability by selling their business or dissolving operations. Learn how we’ve fought for families in similar cases by reading about other daycare negligence cases we’ve resolved. Selling a daycare is not a loophole to escape responsibility, and we ensure that families receive the answers and justice they deserve.

How The Button Law Firm Handles Daycare Abuse Cases

Our daycare and child injury lawyers employ an all-in approach when handling daycare abuse cases like this. We understand that the family’s goal is not only justice for their child but also to prevent similar incidents from happening to others. Here’s how we achieve that:

• Thorough Investigations: In daycare abuse cases, we investigate the daycare’s hiring practices, staff training records, and compliance with state regulations. To build our case, we obtain critical evidence, such as surveillance footage, inspection reports, and staff communications.
• Collaboration with Experts: We work with child development specialists to assess the emotional, psychological, and physical impact of abuse on young victims. These evaluations are vital in securing proper resources for the families.
• Driving Systemic Change: Beyond seeking justice, we push for meaningful reforms within the daycare. This could include staff retraining, policy overhauls, or even permanent closure of unsafe facilities.

If Your Child Experiences Abuse at Daycare, Contact The Button Law Firm

At The Button Law Firm, our mission is to advocate for kids in daycare and child injury cases to help them get life-changing results and justice against bad daycares, schools, and companies that abuse and neglect the safety of children.

The Punkin’ Doodles case is a tragic example of systemic failure, but it’s also a rallying cry for change. By holding negligent daycares accountable, we can help families move forward.

If your family has been affected by daycare abuse, don’t hesitate to contact us. You can reach a member of our team by calling us at 214-699-4409, emailing us at [email protected], or filling out a contact form.