A Fort Worth Daycare Center Neglected Your Child. Now What Should You Do?

What Is Considered Daycare Neglect at Centers in Fort Worth?

Daycare neglect occurs when caregivers fail to meet the basic needs of children while they are under their supervision. Fort Worth daycare centers are required to follow state childcare laws, also known as minimum standards, when caring for little ones to prevent neglect incidents.

Unlike a one-time mistake or mishap, daycare neglect typically follows a pattern of carelessness by the daycare center’s operations and caregivers, putting children at risk of injuries. For example, when a daycare center experiences high demand in a growing city like Fort Worth, the center may be understaffed and ignore child-to-caregiver ratios as outlined in the minimum standards. This means that the caregivers responsible for your child cannot properly supervise him or her or promptly attend to the child’s needs.

Some other common examples of daycare neglect that our daycare injury lawyers have seen firsthand when helping families recover from these incidents in Fort Worth include caregivers:

• Failing to provide an upset child with emotional support or comfort
• Not changing an infant's or toddler’s soiled diapers regularly
• Not providing a child with any or enough food or drinks   
• Ignoring signs of illness or serious injuries and not acting appropriately

We have also received an uptick in calls from Fort Worth parents about children left outside or forgotten at the daycare center. These incidents include children being left in a daycare van or bus, or locked out on the playground. In some cases, caregivers might isolate a child in a different classroom as a form of punishment and forget about them, abandoning them for an unacceptable amount of time.

How Can I Tell If a Fort Worth Daycare Center is Neglecting My Child?

Just like cases of abuse at daycare centers in Fort Worth, incidents of daycare neglect can leave both visible and hidden signs. Parents need to stay alert since young children often can’t fully explain what they’ve experienced. Watch for changes in your child’s behavior, as well as any unexplained marks or injuries on their body—these could be warning signs that something isn’t right.

If your child is being neglected at a daycare center in Fort Worth, you may notice these more obvious signs:

• Constant hunger or thirst after daycare: When a child is not properly fed at the daycare center, they may be overly hungry or extremely thirsty when they come home.
• Lack of hygiene or diaper rash: Your child smells dirty or has unchanged diapers or sticky hands, it can signal they are not receiving basic care. Also, if your infant or toddler experiences diaper rash flare-ups during the week they attend daycare, it could be caused by neglect.
• Overly sleepy: Your child falling asleep upon pickup from the center and sleeping through the night can indicate a caregiver is dosing your child with melatonin or other medications to avoid properly taking care of them.
• Red Cheeks or Sweaty Hair: If your child appears to be running hot with a fever or has red cheeks or sweaty hair at pickup, that could signal that they were left outside or forgotten on the playground.
• Unexplained bruises or injuries: It can be a red flag if your child comes home repeatedly with bruises or bumps and their caregiver cannot provide an adequate explanation.

As mentioned above, daycare neglect at a Fort Worth center does not always leave visible marks but can impact your child’s mood and behavior. As a parent, you know when something is off, so watch for:

• Aggressive behavior: A sudden burst of hitting, biting, or anger from a typically happy child can indicate something is happening to them at the daycare center.
• Fear of returning to the daycare center: Your child may cry excessively or refuse to go to the center if they do not feel cared for or safe.
• Milestone regressions: When a child reverts back to behaviors that they already outgrew, such as using baby talk or having frequent accidents after they are potty trained. 

Watch this video to learn more about other red flags that can signal your child is being neglected at a daycare center in Fort Worth.

What Should I Do If I Suspect a Daycare Center in Fort Worth Neglected My Child? 

If you suspect a daycare center in Fort Worth is neglecting your child, follow these key steps:

1. Get Your Child Evaluated and Treated: If you notice physical signs of neglect on your child’s body after they’ve spent time at a daycare center, take them to a pediatrician or Cook Children’s to be evaluated for injuries and receive the appropriate treatment.
2. Report the Daycare to the State: Contact the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services by calling 800-252-5400 or submitting an online report. Read this article to determine which method, based on your situation, is best to report a Fort Worth daycare center to the state and prompt an investigation.
3. Gather Evidence and Ask Questions: Speak with daycare staff and administrators about the red flags you observe. Request to see surveillance footage, if cameras are installed at the Fort Worth center. You can also talk to other parents to see if they have similar questions or if their children have had similar experiences that could indicate neglect at the center.
4. Contact a Fort Worth Daycare Injury Lawyer: At The Button Law Firm, we fight for Fort Worth families when a child has been harmed because of negligent practices at local daycare centers. Call us at 214-699-4409 or email us [email protected] for a free case evaluation.  

More Free Resources for Parents in Fort Worth

If you still have questions about daycare neglect incidents in Fort Worth but are not ready to reach out to our legal team, check out these free resources:

• Daycare Negligence: Next Steps to Take When Lack of Supervision Harms Your Child
• Safe and Sound: Protocols Daycare Centers Should Implement to Prevent Abandonment Incidents
• What Do I Do If My Child Was Left Outside at Daycare?
• Can Parents Still Sue a Daycare Center After They Sign a Liability Waiver?

Contact The Button Law Firm If Your Child Was Neglected at a Daycare Center in Fort Worth

If your child was neglected at a daycare center in Fort Worth, Texas, contact our experienced daycare injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm. We are ready to listen, fight for your family, and help your family move forward. Our lawyers at The Button Law Firm are recognized on the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers list, and we can help guide you after a traumatizing incident involving your child. We work on contingency, meaning we don’t charge you or collect any upfront fees to get started on your case. Call us at 214-699-4409, email us at [email protected], or fill out a contact form for a free case evaluation.