When parents leave their child at daycare, they are trusting that basic safety measures are in place.
For one McKinney family, that trust was broken when their 14-month-old daughter was bitten by a venomous copperhead snake while on the playground.
What happened that day—and what came to light after—made clear this was not an unavoidable incident.
When the Story Changes
The family was first told their daughter had a minor injury.
Minutes later, that explanation changed. The daycare informed them she had been bitten by a snake.
When the facts surrounding a serious injury shift like that, it immediately raises concern about whether the full story is being shared—and whether proper procedures were followed from the start.
A Risk the Daycare Knew About
As our team began investigating, it became clear the danger was not hidden.
The daycare was located near wooded areas where snakes were known to be present. The playground fencing had gaps large enough for wildlife to enter.
Despite those conditions, children were brought outside without the area being properly checked and without the level of supervision needed to keep them safe.
At some point, the 14-month-old was able to move away from direct supervision and approach a handrail where a copperhead snake was coiled. She reached out—and was bitten.
This was a preventable failure in both supervision and environmental safety.
What Happened After the Bite
The response in the moments that followed was just as important—and just as concerning.
Instead, the child’s parents were left to respond to a medical emergency that required immediate care.
By the time she reached the ER, her condition had worsened. Her finger had blistered, and her hand and wrist were swollen, discolored, and painful. She required antivenom, pain management, and transfer to a children’s hospital for further treatment.
Emergency response is not a secondary responsibility. It is part of the baseline duty a daycare owes every child in its care.
The Impact Didn’t End That Day
Even after leaving the hospital, the effects of the incident continued.
The child experienced ongoing pain along with emotional and behavioral changes, including sleep disruption and increased anxiety.
For the family, the question was not just what happened—but how it was allowed to happen in the first place.
What Our Investigation Revealed
When the family came to The Button Law Firm, they were understandably hesitant. Like many parents, they were concerned about putting their child through more stress.
But as we looked deeper, it became clear this situation could not be viewed in isolation.
Over a two-year period, the daycare had been cited seven times for safety-related violations, including failures in supervision and gaps in emergency preparedness.
Those are not technical issues. They are the very protections that are supposed to prevent incidents like this.
Holding the Daycare Accountable
With that history in mind, we moved forward to hold the daycare accountable for the failures that led to this child’s injury.
The result secured for the family provided the resources needed to support their daughter’s recovery—both physically and emotionally.
But just as importantly, it created accountability for a daycare that had a documented pattern of safety issues.
Moving Forward
Cases like this are difficult. For many families, the decision to take action is not easy.
But understanding what happened—and ensuring it does not happen again—matters.
At The Button Law Firm, we focus exclusively on daycare and child injury cases. That focus allows us to uncover patterns, identify failures, and take action when providers do not meet the standards children deserve.
If your child has been seriously injured at daycare, you can fill out our contact form to share your story or experience with our team.
You can also call (214) 699-4409 or email intake@buttonlawfirm.com to speak directly with our team.
If you are not ready to reach out, we also offer a free 5-step guide to help parents understand what to do next and how to begin moving forward.
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