Lawsuit filed by daycare injury lawyers
at The Button Law Firm on behalf of child's mother claims Star
Kiddos Childcare Center endangered boy's life by breaking daycare
safety laws
HOUSTON, July 17,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A mother is suing Star Kiddos
Childcare Center, claiming the facility located in the Addicks Park
Ten neighborhood, endangered her 4-year-old son's life when a van
driver left him in the daycare's van for approximately two hours on
May 24, 2023. The complaint filed by
Brandy Jones claims the child fell
asleep while being transported from Star Kiddos Childcare Center to
his elementary school, and the driver did not comply with
Texas laws to account for all
children who exited the van at the school before returning to the
center. Instead, Jones' son woke up in the hot van approximately
two hours later, scared and confused, according to the
complaint.
Jones claims she found out about the dangerous incident when her
child's elementary school called to let her know that her son was
dropped off late. She immediately contacted Star Kiddos Childcare
Center, where caregivers attempted to sweep the incident under the
rug and prevent her from reporting the incident to the state or
local law enforcement by offering her two and a half weeks of free
childcare, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit also claims once Jones reported the incident to the
state and local law enforcement, Star Kiddos Childcare Center
provided false information in a state-mandated daycare incident
report.
"The thought of my son being left in a sweltering van without
anyone knowing is a nightmare no parent should have to experience,"
says Jones. "It is common knowledge leaving children in hot
vehicles can turn fatal, especially with Houston's summer temperatures. Star Kiddos
Childcare Center put my son's life at risk."
An independent investigation conducted by the Texas Health and
Human Services Commission Child-Care Licensing Division and the
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services confirmed Jones'
allegations against Star Kiddos Childcare Center, according to the
suit. The facility was cited for leaving the boy in the van, not
notifying Jones of the incident, and not complying with state laws
when the driver did not ensure all children were accounted for at
the elementary school drop-off and turned off the safety alarm in
the van.
A look into Star Kiddos Childcare Center's safety track record
with the state revealed the center received 39 additional
violations between October 2020 and
October 2023, including one issued
five months after Jones' son was left in the daycare van.
"Star Kiddos Childcare Center blatantly ignored key childcare
transportation laws that were created to prevent dangerous
heat-related incidents like what happened to Ms. Jones' son," says
The Button Law Firm's daycare injury lawyer Russell Button, who represents Jones and her son
in this lawsuit. "The daycare center's response to leaving the
child in the van is telling. We are committed to holding the center
accountable for its gross oversight and endangering the life of an
innocent child."
The case is Brandy Jones,
Individually and as next friend of M.J., a minor child, vs. DFMK
Group, LLC d/b/a Star Kiddos Childcare Center, Cause No.
202441585- 7 in the District Court of Harris County, Texas. A copy of the complaint
can be accessed here.
About The Button Law Firm
The Button Law Firm
(buttonlawfirm.com) is a Texas-based personal injury law firm that
advocates for children and their families in meaningful litigation
to make local communities safer. The firm focuses on daycare and
child-related injuries such as abuse and neglect cases, bottle
warmer burns, traumatic brain injuries, and catastrophic injuries.
With attorneys in Dallas,
Houston, and Midland, The Button Law Firm helps families
move forward across the Lone Star State.
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SOURCE The Button Law Firm