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When What Happened Inside the Rockwall Classroom
According to the lawsuit and reporting from The Dallas Morning News, surveillance footage and investigator findings helped uncover what took place inside the Rockwall daycare that March morning.
It started with spilled milk on the classroom floor. The toddler tapped his foot in the puddle, a harmless action for a curious 3-year-old. Instead of gently redirecting him, the caregiver, a 20-year-old overwhelmed employee with only three months of experience, reacted with force. The article states she grabbed him by the arm, dragged him across the classroom, and placed him into a time-out chair positioned in front of an open bathroom door. His head struck the door during the interaction.
The Dallas Morning News shared that the footage captured him crying, holding his head, and asking to go home. Rather than checking for injury or comforting him, the caregiver continued with classroom tasks. When he lay down on his cot, she repeatedly covered him with a blanket, even as he tried to uncover himself.
Nearly 30 minutes later, the caregiver saw vomit on his cot and realized he was unresponsive. His eyes were open but unmoving, and he appeared to be seizing. Almost an hour had passed before 911 was called.
A Medical Crisis That Required an Airlift
By the time emergency responders arrived, the toddler was unconscious, experiencing multiple seizures, and struggling to breathe. Paramedics used a manual resuscitation bag to help him take in air before transporting him to a nearby hospital.
“I didn’t know if that was the last time I would see my son alive,” Saunders said in a shaky voice in the interview with The Dallas Morning News.
Doctors soon determined his injuries, including a skull fracture, brain bleed, and traumatic brain injury, were too severe to treat there. He was airlifted to Children’s Medical Center Dallas for urgent care and admitted into the intensive care unit.
Why Oversight and Supervision Matter in Childcare Settings
The lawsuit and Dallas Morning News coverage also highlighted safety concerns at Galaxy Ranch. According to the filing, the caregiver had been left alone with a full classroom, limited experience, and no support; she was unequipped to manage the classroom safely.
The daycare had received at least one prior complaint about the caregiver but did not document it or offer additional training. After the incident, state investigators cited Galaxy Ranch for inappropriate discipline and for allowing a child to be abused while in care. The caregiver was also arrested, according to Rockwall police.
Daycare and child injury attorney Russell Button told The Dallas Morning News that tragedies like this happen when daycares cut corners on supervision, staffing, and training. He emphasized that the goal of the lawsuit is to hold childcare providers accountable and prevent similar incidents from harming other children.
A Mother’s Strength and a Family’s Hope
During her interview, Keisha shared how her family continues adjusting to their new normal. Their son, now 4, still loves Paw Patrol, Spiderman, and chicken nuggets. But the long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury are unpredictable, and recovery often comes in small steps.
Some days bring reminders of the pain he has endured. Keisha and her husband now approach each milestone with gratitude and caution, celebrating moments when he feels safe, calm, and confident.
“We are just trying to be there for him the best we can,” Keisha said. They continue therapy appointments, medical follow-ups, and daily reassurance as part of supporting his healing journey.
The Saunders family hopes that by sharing their son’s story, other parents will understand how crucial proper supervision and training are in childcare settings. Speaking publicly feels like one way to prevent another family from facing the same fear and heartbreak.
Contact The Button Law Firm After a Daycare Injury
The Button Law Firm works closely with families who are facing situations filled with fear, confusion, and uncertainty. We help parents understand what happened, preserve the evidence that matters, and pursue accountability when a daycare’s failures cause harm.
To speak with our team, you can call 214-699-4409, email intake@buttonlawfirm.com, or reach us through our secure contact page. Our team will listen to your story and guide you through your next steps.
No parent should have to face something like this alone. We are here to support your family and help protect your child’s future.
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