Where to Report a Daycare Injury in Texas
In Texas, daycare injuries, abuse, or neglect should be reported to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).
DFPS is the state agency responsible for overseeing daycare operations and making sure facilities follow safety laws designed to protect children.
While daycares are legally required to report serious incidents themselves, that does not always happen.
We have seen situations where facilities minimize what occurred, delay reporting, or fail to report entirely.
That is why it is critical for parents to take action and file a report directly.
Why You Should File the Report Yourself
When you report the incident to DFPS on your own, you are doing more than just notifying the state—you are protecting your access to information.
If you file the report yourself:
- DFPS is required to follow up with you
- You will be informed about the outcome of the investigation
- You gain insight into whether the daycare violated safety standards
If you rely solely on the daycare to report the incident, you may never receive those answers.
Filing your own report ensures transparency and keeps you informed about how your child’s situation is handled.
What Happens After You Make a Report
Once a report is submitted, DFPS assigns an investigator to the case.
That investigation may include:
- Speaking with you about what happened
- Observing your child and any visible injuries or behavioral changes
- Interviewing daycare staff
- Speaking with other individuals who may have witnessed the incident
- Coordinating with law enforcement, if necessary
This process is designed to uncover what actually occurred—not just what was initially reported.
Why the Investigation Matters
The findings from a DFPS investigation do not just stay private—they become part of the daycare’s public record.
If the daycare failed to follow the law or violated minimum safety standards, they can be cited.
Those citations can reveal:
- Supervision failures
- Unsafe conditions
- Staffing issues
- Patterns of repeated violations
This information is powerful—not only for your family, but for other parents who may be considering that daycare in the future.
Accountability at this stage can prevent similar harm from happening to another child.
When to Report (Even If You’re Not Sure)
Many parents hesitate because they are unsure whether what happened “qualifies” for a report.
The reality is simple:
if something feels wrong, it is worth reporting.
You do not need to have all the answers before contacting DFPS.
Even if there are no obvious injuries or the explanation does not fully make sense, reporting allows the state to step in and evaluate the situation.
Waiting can make it harder to uncover what really happened.
Taking the Next Step
Reporting a daycare injury is not about overreacting—it is about creating accountability and protecting your child.
It also creates a record that can play an important role if questions arise later.
At The Button Law Firm, we focus exclusively on daycare and child injury cases. We help families understand what steps to take, how to navigate DFPS investigations, and what to do when a daycare fails to follow the law.
If you have questions or have received a letter from DFPS regarding violations at your child’s daycare, we are here to help.
Call (214) 699-4409, email intake@buttonlawfirm.com, or fill out our contact form to share your story or experience with our team.
.png)
.png)
