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Family Reaches Settlement After Texas Daycare Leaves Toddler in Freezing Temperatures for Six Hours
Family Reaches Settlement After Texas Daycare Leaves Toddler in Freezing Temperatures for Six HoursAfter their three-year-old daughter was neglected at an Arlington, Texas, daycare and left outside in freezing temperatures for six hours without a jacket, a North Texas family now has closure and can move forward thanks to a settlement secured against the daycare by our daycare injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm.
Our experienced Texas child injury lawyer was able to hold the daycare accountable for this little girl’s neglect and thus prevent other children from being harmed or experiencing a worse fate—a kidnapping or fatal medical incident. The settlement secured by our team will help the family cover the child’s medical expenses and any resources that the toddler may need to help her heal psychologically and move forward.
A Parent’s Worst Nightmare
After a father dropped off his 3-year-old daughter at daycare on a cold and rainy day in 2021, workers removed her jacket. Rather than immediately escort the little girl to her classroom, the distracted worker continued to check other children into the facility.
The toddler was curious, like most children, and was able to wander unsupervised. She then made her way through the daycare’s back exit doors into the playground area. However, the door automatically shut and locked behind her. It took workers over six hours to discover the toddler outside without a jacket, where she was hysterical, cold, wet and soiled in her own waste.
The daycare made a series of decisions that continued to violate the state’s minimum standards of care:
- Failing to properly supervise the little girl
- Failing to demonstrate good judgment and competency
- Not calling her parents to report the incident once they found her (The father was informed of the incident when he picked the little girl up later in the afternoon.)
- Replacing the little girl’s soiled clothes with another child’s underwear and pants instead of using the spare change of clothes left by her parents.
The toddler was taken to a nearby emergency room, where she was evaluated and treated for prolonged exposure to cold temperatures and other dangerous weather conditions. As one can imagine, the little girl was impacted emotionally—regressing in her potty training, wetting the bed, and experiencing a loss of appetite and a fear of being left alone.
The Daycare’s History of Failures
Following this incident, it was discovered that the Arlington daycare had a history of failing to keep children safe. The center had been cited numerous times by the state of Texas for failing to meet minimum standards for childcare facilities. Citations ranged from failing to supervise children and properly train staff to display deficient safety practices.
Situations like this are why our expert child injury lawyers have created a free guide to help parents like you find a safe daycare for their children. Our experienced team has found that many childcare facilities with fancy websites fall short on their promises to keep children in their care safe. Our goal is to make communities safer, and that starts with empowering and educating parents.
More Helpful Information
For guidance on navigating the aftermath of daycare injuries, explore these articles. They offer valuable insights into understanding legal rights, addressing medical concerns, and ensuring your child's safety and well-being, providing the crucial information you need to effectively handle such situations.
- What Are My Rights as a Parent If My Child Was Hurt at a Daycare Center in Texas?
- How to File a Daycare Incident Report When Your Child is Hurt at a Texas Daycare
- 8 Commonly Asked Questions About Daycare Injuries Answered
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