What Are My Legal Rights If My Child Was Drugged at an Austin Daycare?

What Counts as “Drugging” at a Daycare in Texas?

Drugging occurs any time a daycare gives a child a substance, whether prescription, over the counter, or otherwise, without proper authorization or in a dangerous way. According to the Texas Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers, daycares must adhere to strict guidelines for handling medication. Violating these rules puts children at risk and may lead to serious harm.

Drugging may include:

Giving a child someone else’s prescription

Administering medication without written parental consent

Using sleep aids such as melatonin or antihistamines to make children drowsy

Giving higher doses than prescribed

Using CBD or THC products that are not approved for children

Using medication as a way to control behavior

There is never a safe or acceptable reason for a daycare to drug a child. These actions can cause serious medical complications, emotional trauma, and long-lasting effects.

What Options Do Parents Have When a Daycare Drugs a Child?

When a daycare gives a child an unauthorized or dangerous substance, parents have the right to get answers and take steps to protect their child’s well-being. These incidents are serious violations of childcare safety standards, and they may give families the option to pursue a civil case against the daycare.

A civil case can help families:

Understand what happened and why
Identify who was responsible
Access daycare records, medication logs, staffing information, and communication
Hold the daycare accountable for breaking safety rules
Seek financial support for medical care, therapy, and the impact this has had on the child and family

Families often choose to work with a daycare injury attorney to guide them through this process. At The Button Law Firm, we help parents uncover the truth, protect important evidence, and move forward with a civil case that focuses on the child’s recovery and long-term well-being.

The priority is always the same. Help the child heal, support the family, and prevent the daycare from endangering another child.

What to Do Immediately if You Suspect Your Child Was Drugged

If something feels wrong, take action right away. Early steps can be critically important for both your child’s health and for understanding what happened.

1. Seek medical attention immediately

Ask the doctor to perform a toxicology screen and document all symptoms.

Signs your child may have been drugged include:

Drowsiness
Confusion
Vomiting
Difficulty waking up
Or unusual behavior

2. Report the incident

File a report with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. This agency oversees childcare safety and can begin an investigation.

3. Preserve all potential evidence

Save emails, text messages, photos, videos, and notes about what you observed. Document anything your child says, even if it seems unclear. Children often express experiences through behavior more than words.

4. Speak with a daycare injury attorney

An experienced attorney can help families get answers quickly, protect important evidence, communicate with investigators, and guide parents through the next steps.

How The Button Law Firm Helps Families in Austin

The Button Law Firm has extensive experience handling daycare drugging and medication safety cases across Texas. Our team understands the regulations daycares must follow and how to uncover the truth when a daycare fails to protect the children in its care.

We step in to gather records, work with medical experts, and take on the burden of the investigation. Our goal is to support the family, protect the child, and hold unsafe daycares accountable so this does not happen to another child.

If you suspect your child was drugged at an Austin daycare, you do not have to navigate this alone. Contact The Button Law Firm for a free and confidential case evaluation by calling 214-699-4409, emailing intake@buttonlawfirm.com, or filling out the contact form so our team can help your family take the next step toward safety and healing.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Texas Daycare Abuse Attorney Today

If you or someone you know has a child who was harmed by their daycare teacher, contact our firm. We know how difficult getting through this can be. Our experienced team wants to help guide you – as we have helped guide many parents and families within Midland, Houston, Dallas, and the surrounding areas.

You can give us a call at (214) 699-4409 or email us at intake@buttonlawfirm.com. You can also reach out to us by filling out the form below or by starting a chat with a member of our team.

Texas Parents: What to Do If Your Child Was Drugged at an Austin Daycare