The Daycare's Response: A Lack of Accountability
Following the incident, Milivojevic immediately removed her daughter from The Children’s Courtyard and reported the incident to the daycare’s director. Despite numerous follow-up attempts, it took a week for the director to respond, stating that “corrective actions were taken.”
However, Milivojevic later discovered that the two caregivers involved were not terminated, and the daycare did not report the incident to Texas state authorities as required by law.
The Children’s Courtyard’s systemic negligence has raised significant concerns about its commitment to child safety and accountability.
Another Family Comes Forward with Similar Allegations
Unbeknownst to Milivojevic at the time, another family had also experienced inappropriate handling by the same caregiver, Hernandez.
Alexis Dominguez, the mother of the boy who was mistreated in May, filed a lawsuit with the help of The Button Law Firm after her husband witnessed their son being similarly handled in July 2023 via the daycare’s livestream. The Dominguez family’s lawsuit was later amended to include the earlier May incident, which Milivojevic had recorded.
Both families are represented by Russell Button of, The Button Law Firm, which is dedicated to holding The Children’s Courtyard accountable for these egregious violations of trust and safety.
A Troubling History of Violations at The Children’s Courtyard
The Children’s Courtyard in South Austin has a troubling record of safety violations. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (THHSC) cited the center 25 times for safety deficiencies between October 2018 and March 2023—just two months before Milivojevic’s daughter was mistreated.
From July 2023 to August 2024, the center was cited an additional 50 times for similar issues, including employing unqualified caregivers, failing to report incidents to the state, using prohibited discipline tactics, and neglecting basic hygiene practices.
Legal Action to Protect Children and Hold Daycares Accountable
Russell Button, an experienced daycare and childcare injury attorney at The Button Law Firm, stresses the importance of holding negligent daycare facilities accountable to prevent further harm to innocent children. “The lack of concern for the mistreatment allegations for one child led to another child being harmed. Texas has daycare safety laws in place to hold negligent facilities like The Children’s Courtyard accountable,” Button stated.
Milivojevic echoes this sentiment, expressing the heartbreak she felt when witnessing her daughter and other children being harmed by caregivers who were supposed to protect them. “My daughter was only at The Children’s Courtyard for two days. Working parents should not have to balance doing their job and watching a daycare center’s livestream to ensure their child is not being harmed,” she said.
The Button Law Firm Is Here to Help after a Daycare Injury
If you suspect your child has been harmed at daycare, taking immediate action is crucial. At The Button Law Firm, we are here to stand with you and offer legal guidance and support during these difficult times.
Our team has extensive experience holding negligent daycares accountable and fighting for justice on behalf of children and their families. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn how we can help protect your child’s rights and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
If you or a loved one has experienced a similar incident, The Button Law Firm is here to help. Contact our daycare injury attorneys at 214-699-4409 to speak with one of our experienced team members. Let us help you navigate this challenging time and ensure your family’s rights are protected. Together, we can make a difference.