NACOGDOCHES, Texas - In a deeply distressing incident that unfolded in May 2023, a Nacogdoches woman, Lindsay Tompkins, is taking legal action against Stepping Stones Early Learning Center after her 3-year-old daughter was discovered on Highway Loop 224, half a mile away from the facility. This shocking case of daycare negligence has recently gained attention in the local Nacogdoches publication, The Daily Sentinel, prompting concerns about the safety and supervision provided by childcare centers.
How the Child Wandered from the East Texas Daycare Center
According to the article, caregivers at Stepping Stones Early Learning Center neglected Tompkins’s daughter, allowing her to exit the daycare facility unnoticed. The toddler walked over half a mile and ended up in the middle of Highway Loop 224, where a group of good Samaritans intervened to rescue the child. According to a release from the family’s attorneys at The Button Law Firm, the daycare allegedly remained oblivious until two workers returning from their lunch break recognized the toddler and brought her back to the facility.
Stepping Stones Early Learning Center Fails to Handle the Wandering Incident
The Daily Sentinel describes the incident further, saying that the daycare staff waited to contact Tompkins until later in the afternoon for an “urgent meeting” when the toddler was crying and asking for her mother. The caregivers attempted to cover up the incident by telling Tompkins her daughter left the facility during naptime and was found at the edge of the daycare’s property. The reports from multiple witnesses later revealed the daycare’s attempted cover-up and exposed the true facts of the situation.
Texas State Investigations Reveal Negligence at Stepping Stones Early Learning Center
An investigation by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services revealed several alarming findings. Stepping Stones Early Learning Center had two doors without locks and lacked an alarm system to monitor door openings. Additionally, the Nacogdoches childcare center was cited for additional violations of minimum standards, including neglectful supervision and failure to prevent the incident.
The Button Law Firm's Involvement in the Daycare Negligence Case
Representing Lindsay Tompkins, The Button Law Firm has highlighted the gravity of the incident. Stepping Stones Early Learning Center workers violated Texas daycare laws by failing to notify law enforcement or Tompkins immediately after the incident. Instead, the workers contacted Tompkins later in the afternoon, attempting to cover up the incident by providing false information about the child leaving the facility during naptime.
The Daily Sentinel article shares daycare injury attorney Russell Button’s shock at the level of negligence in this case, emphasizing that the purpose of childcare is to watch and protect children. The Button Law Firm is committed to seeking justice for Lindsay Tompkins and her 3-year-old daughter, holding Stepping Stones Early Learning Center accountable for their failure to provide a safe environment for children.
Lindsay Tompkins, the concerned mother, reflected on her experience, stating, "I lived my worst nightmare when I learned my daughter could have been killed, and no one at Stepping Stones Early Learning Center even noticed she was gone." Almost a year later, the traumatic incident continues to haunt her, highlighting the importance of stringent oversight and accountability in childcare facilities.
Seeking Justice After Your Child Wanders from a Texas Daycare
If you or someone you know has a child who has experienced a similar daycare negligence and wandering situation, The Button Law Firm is here to help. Our team of experienced daycare injury attorneys is dedicated to advocating for the rights of families affected by these incidents. Contact us today for a free case evaluation, and let us stand by your side to pursue justice.
You can contact our team 24/7 by calling 214-699-4409 or filling out the contact form at the bottom of this page. You can also reach out by starting a chat with a member of our team.
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