The Button Law Firm Fights for Justice After Daycare Caregiver Chokes a Child at YMCA
As reported by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, a disturbing case of daycare negligence has led to a civil lawsuit filed against the YMCA of Central Texas. Represented by The Button Law Firm, three families are demanding justice after surveillance footage exposed severe mistreatment of their toddlers at a local YMCA daycare. The lawsuit alleges that daycare worker Geraline Browning was caught mishandling children over a span of several weeks in 2024, prompting criminal charges and a call for accountability from the YMCA.
Read the full article by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram here.
The Shocking Discovery: Negligence Uncovered on Surveillance Footage
In February 2024, employees at the YMCA of Central Texas located in Pflugerville, began reviewing surveillance footage in an attempt to locate a child’s missing shoe. What they discovered was far more alarming than a misplaced item. According to the lawsuit filed by The Button Law Firm on January 23, 2025, the footage revealed Browning mishandling toddlers in multiple disturbing ways.
The video shows Browning, seated and distracted by her phone, walking over to a crying child and “aggressively” grabbing her by the arm before forcing her to sit. As the child continued to cry, Browning proceeded to grab the girl by the throat, choking and shaking her while berating her for her distress. The child’s mother later confirmed that her daughter often came home with unexplained bruises and scratches, raising further concerns about the daycare’s lack of transparency and proper reporting.
Multiple Incidents: A Pattern of Neglect
Following the initial discovery, detectives continued to review the footage, uncovering additional instances of Browning’s behavior. Between January 29 and February 21, 2024, Browning was seen on multiple occasions yanking children by their arms, necks, and collarbones, causing visible distress. The footage includes a chilling moment where Browning chokes a 2-year-old for six seconds, causing the child to cry hysterically.
In another instance, Browning grabbed a toddler by the back of the neck, spun her around, and forcefully pushed her to the floor while other children watched in fear.
This was not limited to one isolated event but was spread across several weeks, with Browning’s actions escalating. The Button Law Firm’s lawsuit emphasizes the severity of these incidents, demanding justice for the children who were subjected to such neglectful and harmful behavior.
YMCA's Inadequate Response: A Failure to Protect Children
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Button Law Firm’s lawsuit also criticizes the YMCA for its inadequate response to the situations. Despite the discovery of the first incident, Browning was not immediately fired. Instead, she was placed on suspension, and it wasn’t until law enforcement became involved that she was terminated.
The YMCA’s failure to report these incidents, or provide incident reports to parents in a timely manner, further compounded the negligence. The Button Law Firm is holding the YMCA accountable for its failure to protect these vulnerable children and ensure proper oversight of daycare staff.
The article highlights the YMCA’s failure to comply with Texas state childcare laws. The YMCA did not create or provide incident reports until after the state licensing department issued citations and demanded corrective action.
Seeking Justice and Holding the YMCA Accountable
The families of the toddlers, represented by The Button Law Firm, are not only seeking recovery for the injuries their children faced but also demanding that the YMCA of Central Texas be held fully accountable for its role in allowing such mistreatment to occur.
“Nothing about what happened at the YMCA or how the organization operated this daycare center is acceptable,” said Russell Button. “Innocent toddlers were severely mistreated and unsafely disciplined on multiple occasions. We are committed to ensuring that justice is served and that such incidents never happen again.”
What Should You Do if Your Child Was Injured Due to Daycare Negligence?
If your child has been injured due to daycare negligence, The Button Law Firm is here to provide the guidance and support you need. Our experienced team of daycare and child injury attorneys is committed to fighting for justice for families affected by daycare abuse and neglect.
For a free and confidential case evaluation, call us at (214)699-4409, email us at [email protected], or fill out our online contact form. You can also reach a member of our team by starting a chat. Let us help you navigate this challenging time and ensure your family’s rights are protected.
.png)
.png)
