For parents, few things are scarier than learning your child was released to someone you don’t know. A routine daycare pickup should be one of the safest, most predictable parts of the day. Instead, when this kind of mistake happens, it can quickly become a nightmare.
At The Button Law Firm, we work with families who trusted a daycare to protect their children and were let down. Unauthorized pickups are preventable, and when they happen, it’s often because a daycare failed to follow the basic safety procedures that keep kids safe. If you ever find yourself in this situation, here are the steps you should take immediately.
Step 1: Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
It’s natural for panic to set in when you realize your child is missing or has been left with someone you don’t recognize. But the first moments matter most. Take a deep breath and focus on gathering information. Ask any staff members who saw the pickup what they noticed—details about the person, their car, or what time the pickup occurred. The more you know, the faster you can act.
Step 2: Speak with the Daycare Director Immediately
Do not leave without speaking directly to the daycare director or person in charge. Ask clear questions:
- Who was listed as authorized to pick up your child that day?
- Was identification checked before releasing your child?
- Why was this person allowed to leave with your child?
Daycare centers are legally required to maintain accurate records of who is authorized to pick up each child. If a staff member fails to follow this policy or doesn’t have proper systems in place, that is a serious breach of trust and safety.
Step 3: Verify Your Child’s Safety
The next priority is confirming your child’s location and well-being. If your child was released to someone unauthorized, demand that the daycare contact the individual immediately and coordinate your child’s safe return. If the daycare cannot provide answers or refuses to take responsibility, call law enforcement right away. In these situations, every minute matters.
Step 4: Document Everything
Write down every detail you can recall while it’s fresh in your mind:
- The time you arrived at the daycare
- What did the staff tell you about the pickup
- The names of staff members involved
- What the daycare director said during your conversation
- If you spoke with other parents or witnesses, note their names too. This documentation can be critical later if you choose to file a complaint with state licensing authorities or pursue legal action to hold the daycare accountable.
Step 5: Review and Update Pickup Policies
After the immediate crisis is resolved, review your daycare’s pickup procedures carefully. Are staff required to check photo IDs? Is there a written list of authorized caregivers that is updated regularly? Do employees know not to make exceptions under pressure?
If you find weaknesses in these policies, demand changes. You should also update your child’s records to ensure there is no confusion about who is and who is not allowed to take them home. Strong safeguards should prevent unauthorized pickups from ever happening again.
Taking Daycare Safety Seriously
An unauthorized pickup is more than a paperwork mistake. It’s a breakdown in the system designed to keep children safe. Parents trust daycares to protect their kids, and when that trust is broken, the consequences can be devastating.
If your child was released to someone without your permission, it’s important to act quickly. In addition to contacting law enforcement, you may want to explore your legal options. Daycares that fail to enforce safety policies must be held accountable so this doesn’t happen to another family.
Contact The Button Law Firm
At The Button Law Firm, your child’s safety is always our top priority. We help families across Texas take action when daycares fail to protect children. If you have questions about an unauthorized pickup or another serious daycare safety concern, contact us today.
📞 Call us at 214-699-4409
💻 Reach out through our website contact form
📧 Email us at intake@buttonlawfirm.com
We’re here to help you and your family move forward.
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