Austin Daycare Injury Lawyers

Types of Abuse Occurring in Texas Daycare Centers & Homes

Maltreatment of children in daycare can take many forms, including:

• Neglect
• Physical abuse (spanking, shoving, shaking, pinching, hair-pulling, scratching, and more)
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse (name-calling, humiliation, shaming, etc.)
• Failure to supervise

Heatstroke Deaths in Daycare Vehicles

Children in Texas, a southern state with a hot climate during many parts of the year, are especially vulnerable to heatstroke if they are forgotten and left in a closed vehicle. Deaths have occurred, some in daycare vehicles. Between 1998 and 2015, 661 children died nationwide of hyperthermia after being left in hot vehicles, some belonging to daycare centers—an average of 37 children per year. Texas leads the nation in the total number of child hot car deaths. At least 96 children died in Texas from vehicular heatstroke since 1998.

When a heatstroke death occurs in a daycare vehicle, as it sometimes does, it falls under the category of neglect. These cases are tragic, and no amount of money can adequately compensate for the loss of a child; but when children die or suffer injuries in daycare, it is important to hold the responsible party liable, both criminally and civilly. Many families find that doing so helps them to achieve closure in the face of these unspeakable tragedies.

Recognizing Daycare Abuse

Children often suffer minor bruises and scrapes in the course of normal play, and these do not necessarily indicate that abuse or neglect has occurred. However, the caregiver or director of the center should be able to explain what caused these injuries. If you ask and get an evasive answer, it is a red flag. Another red flag is when a center discourages or does not allow parents to drop in unannounced.

Take a photo of any significant injury you notice and discuss it with the person in charge. If the injury to the child is more serious and requires medical treatment, the center is required by law to file a report with the child care licensing. Ask for a copy of the report. If you do not receive it, make a report yourself.

Watch for Warning Signs of Abuse

Sometimes the signs of daycare abuse are not so obvious, especially in cases of sexual abuse. While not common, sexual abuse can be devastating to children and their families and will often have life-long repercussions.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children lists warning signs that might indicate abuse:

• Behavior changes or severe mood swings
• Uncharacteristic aggression or rebelliousness
• Bed-wetting, nightmares, and other sleep disturbances
• Acting out of sexual activity or showing an interest in sexual matters that is not age-appropriate
• Behavioral regression
• Any new behavior problems
• Wetting, soiling, or any regression in toilet training
• Fear of going to the daycare center or of certain people or areas of the center