LOS ANGELES, California - According to a recent feature by KTLA, The Button Law Firm is representing Alexis Dominguez in a lawsuit against The Children’s Courtyard daycare center located on West William Cannon Drive in Austin, Texas. The lawsuit claims that Dominguez's 2-year-old son was subjected to prohibited and cruel punishment tactics by a caregiver at the daycare center. The lawsuit, filed by The Button Law Firm, claims that in July 2023, the child’s father, while checking on his son through the daycare's live surveillance feed, witnessed a caregiver smothering the toddler with a blanket and repeatedly slapping his face and head.
Negligent Response After Austin Daycare Abuse Caught on Camera
The article provided further details, saying that upon witnessing this horrifying incident, the father immediately left work to report what he had seen to the daycare’s management. However, despite the serious nature of the incident, The Children’s Courtyard failed to report the incident to state authorities or local police as mandated by Texas daycare laws. Instead, the daycare center suspended the accused employee for one day before allowing her to continue working at the facility.
Dominguez expressed her outrage in the article, stating, "Clearly, The Children's Courtyard did not value my son's safety or express concern for his well-being. Anyone with basic common sense understands that smothering and hitting a child is completely unacceptable. Everything was on camera."
Independent Investigation by THHS and DFPS Leads to Daycare Violations
The article gave further details, saying Dominguez has since removed her son from The Children’s Courtyard. An independent investigation by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission Child-Care Licensing Division and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services substantiated the abuse allegations. It cited The Children’s Courtyard for five violations.
These included physical abuse of a child, using prohibited punishment tactics, allowing a caregiver who posed a risk to children's safety to remain with children, and failing to report the incident. A deeper dive into the daycare center’s records revealed 56 separate safety violations from June 2019 through May 2024, 10 months following the abuse experienced by Dominguez’s son.
Russell Button Reacts to the Austin Daycare Abuse
Russell Button, Dominguez’s daycare injury lawyer and founder of The Button Law Firm, highlighted the gravity of the situation in the KTLA article, stating, "The serious safety issues at The Children’s Courtyard are full of alarm bells and red flags. It is clear this daycare center does not prioritize child safety based on the treatment of our client's child and this facility's track record. Abuse accusations at any daycare center should be taken seriously, and centers should employ caregivers who comply with the clear procedures required by law to protect children under their watch."
Case Details
The case is filed in the 53rd Civil District Court of Travis County, Texas. The complaint details the extent of the abuse and the daycare center's failure to adhere to safety regulations, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and reform in daycare safety practices.
About The Button Law Firm
As mentioned in the KTLA feature, The Button Law Firm is a Texas-based daycare and childcare injury law firm dedicated to advocating for children and their families through meaningful litigation aimed at making local communities safer. Our firm focuses on daycare and childcare injuries, including 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 across the Lone Star State move forward after experiencing such traumatic events.
Contacting The Button Law Firm After a Daycare or Childcare Injury
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 childcare injury lawyers is committed to fighting for justice for families affected by daycare negligence.
For a free and confidential case evaluation, call us at 214-699-4409, chat with us, or fill out our contact form. Let us help you navigate this challenging time and ensure your family’s rights are protected.
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