FOX40 Features BLF Lawsuit Exposing Widespread Failures at Lionheart Children’s Academy

Years of Warnings Ignored at Lionheart Children’s Academy

A recent FOX40 feature brought national attention to a North Texas case that has shaken parents and caregivers alike. The story details how Lionheart Children’s Academy, a Grapevine daycare, ignored repeated warnings and complaints about a teacher’s inappropriate behavior with children, failures that allowed abuse to continue for years.

The Button Law Firm filed the lawsuit on behalf of the child’s mother, Tiffany Young, whose daughter was just two years old when the abuse began. The case outlines how Lionheart’s leadership and multiple caregivers failed to report their concerns about the teacher, Thaddaeus Davidson, to the state as required by law. Davidson, who joined Lionheart in 2020, was later convicted on multiple counts of indecency with a child.

A Pattern of Neglect and Non-Reporting

According to the FOX40 report, the lawsuit reveals a disturbing pattern of inaction inside the daycare. Staff members voiced discomfort about Davidson’s inappropriate behavior, such as kissing little girls on the lips, letting them sit on his lap, or violating bathroom policies, but those reports went nowhere.

In March 2022, the parents of another child reported that Davidson had inappropriately touched their daughter and another little girl. Even then, Lionheart’s management took no meaningful action and failed to notify the state.

Then, in July 2022, a teacher sent an email directly to Lionheart’s director warning that Davidson “touches little girls in class inappropriately, tickling them underneath their dresses” and “rubbing up their thighs” during a movie. The same email referenced an incident involving Davidson taking photos of girls in the bathroom. Despite the seriousness of these complaints, Lionheart kept him on staff and never reported the conduct to authorities.

State Investigations Confirmed Serious Violations

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and the Southlake Police Department later investigated and confirmed abuse of multiple children, including Young’s daughter. DFPS cited Lionheart for failing to report suspected child abuse and failing to properly supervise caregivers, both serious violations of state childcare law.

The investigation also revealed that at least two caregivers witnessed Davidson’s behavior but did not report it, something that state law clearly states is their obligation. Daycare employees in Texas are mandatory reporters, meaning they must report suspected abuse immediately. They don’t need proof, just reasonable suspicion. But at Lionheart, those duties were ignored, and children were left unprotected.

This Is Why We Speak Up

For The Button Law Firm, this case is about more than the failures of one daycare. It’s about changing the system that allowed them to happen. When employees remain silent and leadership refuses to act, it is the children who suffer. That’s why BLF continues to speak out, pushing for accountability and transparency in childcare facilities across Texas.

As attorney Russell Button shared with FOX40, “Texas daycare laws exist for a reason: to stop abuse before it happens. When daycares ignore those laws, they put every child at risk.”

Coverage like FOX40’s helps shed light on the dangers of ignoring reports and reinforces why families and communities must demand safer childcare. Speaking up isn’t just about justice—it’s about prevention.

Moving Forward: Fighting for Families Across Texas

The Button Law Firm represents this family and others like them to bring accountability where it’s long overdue. Every parent deserves to know that when they drop off their child, they’re leaving them in a safe, law-abiding environment.

We fight for families every day, and we want to fight for yours. If your child was harmed at a daycare or if you suspect neglect or abuse, reach out to us today. Call (214) 699-4409, email intake@buttonlawfirm.com, or fill out the contact form to connect with our team. Together, we can make sure what happened at Lionheart never happens again.

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.

FOX40 Highlights The Button Law Firm’s Fight for Justice After Years of Sexual Abuse at Lionheart Daycare