HOUSTON, Texas - A Houston mother has taken legal action against Star Kiddos Childcare Center, located in the Addicks Park Ten neighborhood, accusing the daycare of endangering her 4-year-old son’s life by leaving him unattended in a hot van for approximately two hours. The lawsuit, filed by The Button Law Firm on behalf of Brandy Jones, highlights serious violations of daycare safety laws and the facility's subsequent mishandling of the incident.
Incident Overview – How Star Kiddos Childcare Center Failed This Child
On May 24, 2023, Jones’ son fell asleep in the daycare’s van while being transported from Star Kiddos Childcare Center to his elementary school. According to the complaint, the driver failed to ensure all children exited the van upon arrival at the school and returned to the daycare without realizing the boy was still inside. The child woke up alone, scared, and disoriented in the hot vehicle approximately two hours later.
Jones discovered the incident when her son’s elementary school called to inform her that he was dropped off late. Upon contacting Star Kiddos Childcare Center, Jones was met with attempts to cover up the incident. The Northwest Houston daycare offered her two and a half weeks of free childcare to prevent her from reporting the incident to state or local authorities.
To read the whole filed complaint, click here.
Violation and Investigation into the Negligent Houston Daycare
The lawsuit claims that once Jones reported the incident, Star Kiddos Childcare Center provided false information in the state-mandated daycare incident report. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission Child-Care Licensing Division and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services conducted an independent investigation, confirming the claims against the daycare. The investigation revealed the facility had violated multiple safety regulations, including failing to account for all children at the elementary school drop-off and turning off the van’s safety alarm.
In addition to this incident, Star Kiddos Childcare Center has a troubling safety track record, with 39 additional violations recorded between October 2020 and October 2023. One of these violations occurred just five months after Jones’ son was left in the van.
Statements from Jones and The Button Law Firm
“The thought of my son being left in a sweltering van without anyone knowing is a nightmare no parent should have to experience,” says Jones. “It is common knowledge leaving children in hot vehicles can turn fatal, especially with Houston’s summer temperatures. Star Kiddos Childcare Center put my son’s life at risk.”
Russell Button, a daycare and childcare injury lawyer at The Button Law Firm, representing Jones and her son, stated, “Star Kiddos Childcare Center blatantly ignored key childcare transportation laws created to prevent dangerous heat-related incidents like what happened to Ms. Jones’ son. The daycare center’s response to leaving the child in the van is telling. We are committed to holding the center accountable for its gross oversight and endangering the life of an innocent child.”
Contacting The Button Law Firm After a Serious Daycare Incident
The Button Law Firm is a Texas-based personal injury law firm dedicated to advocating for children and their families in significant litigation to make local communities safer. Our firm focuses on daycare and child-related injuries such as abuse and neglect cases, bottle warmer burns, traumatic brain injuries, and catastrophic injuries. With attorneys in Dallas, Houston, and Midland, The Button Law Firm helps families move forward across the Lone Star State.
If you or a loved one has experienced a similar incident, The Button Law Firm is here to help. Contact our Houston daycare injury attorneys at 281-857-6116 to speak with one of our experienced team members.
.png)
.png)
