Parents Sue Galaxy Ranch Private School After 3-Year-Old's Severe Injuries from Alleged Negligence

Lawsuit Alleges Unsafe Discipline Practices at Galaxy Ranch Private School

In a distressing case highlighting serious issues with childcare safety protocols, United States Army veterans Tony and Keisha Saunders have filed a lawsuit against Galaxy Ranch Private School located in Rockwall, Texas. The lawsuit claims that their 3-year-old son suffered a skull fracture, brain bleed, and traumatic brain injury due to alleged negligent care and unsafe disciplinary measures taken by the staff.

The complaint states that the boy had to be emergency airlifted to a hospital in Dallas after the incident which reportedly occurred last March. The family's attorney, Russell Button, has stated that the school’s failure to maintain a safe environment ultimately endangered their child’s life. The details of the events leading up to this critical situation involve an inappropriate response by a caregiver after the child accidentally spilled milk and began tapping his foot in it, which allegedly provoked the caregiver's inappropriate disciplinary tactics.

According to the lawsuit, surveillance footage captured the caregiver forcibly grabbing the toddler by the arm and dragging him across the room. In an alarming twist, the incident took place in a blind spot of the school's surveillance system before the boy was placed in a time-out chair where his head reportedly struck an open bathroom door. Despite the child’s pleas to go home and evident distress, the caregiver continued to ignore him, according to the complaint.

In a particularly concerning moment, the footage later shows the caregiver covering the child with a blanket as he lay crying. During her attempts to control the situation, she allegedly tried to force the boy's eyes shut, only to realize he was unresponsive and experiencing severe symptoms indicative of a medical emergency. Notably, Medical personnel who arrived on-site found him in distress, requiring resuscitation before he was rushed to the hospital for further treatment.

The subsequent CT scans revealed the unfortunate extent of the child's injuries, including a skull fracture and brain hemorrhage. He was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit for several days, causing immense emotional turmoil for the Saunders family.

In her statements to the media, Keisha Saunders shared the profound impact of this traumatic ordeal on her family. "Galaxy Ranch Private School had us experience a nightmare we can't wake up from," she said, visibly shaken from the incident. Both parents had chosen this private institution based on their reputation for providing experienced staffing and a secure learning environment, bolstered by surveillance measures they believed would safeguard their child.

However, the lawsuit alleges that the caregiver involved had only been working at Galaxy Ranch for three months and was responsible for supervising ten 3-year-olds without adequate support or supervision from the higher management of the school. The family also claims that this caregiver had previously been subject to a complaint which Galaxy Ranch failed to appropriately document or act upon, raising concerns about the hiring and training practices of the institution.

In addition, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services have reportedly substantiated the allegations presented by the Saunders family. They cited the school for violating multiple childcare regulations regarding prohibited punishment tactics and its failure to ensure the safety of children under its care.

Russell Button emphasized that this tragic event was neither an accident nor an isolated incident, but rather a systematic failure within the school's operational practices. "A little boy's life is forever changed because Galaxy Ranch Private School placed an overwhelmed, unfit employee alone in a classroom at maximum capacity full of energetic toddlers," Button stated, indicating that the lawsuit seeks to hold the school accountable and promote changes to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

This case represents more than just an individual tragedy — it raises critical questions about caregiver qualifications, oversight, and the safety measures in place at institutions catering to young children. The Saunders family hopes that their legal battle will shine a spotlight on these pressing issues while advocating for stricter regulations and oversight in Texas daycare facilities.

The official case is identified as Anthony Saunders and Keisha Saunders, individually and as parents and next friends of L.S., a minor child, vs. Galaxy Ranch School, LP d/b/a Galaxy Ranch Private School; and Galaxy Ranch GP, LLC d/b/a Galaxy Ranch Private School, Cause No. DC-25-22164 in the District Court of Dallas County, Texas. Documents relevant to the lawsuit are accessible through legal channels and have raised significant discussions among advocates for children's rights and safety.

As the case unfolds, both the family and legal experts emphasize the importance of accountability in childcare settings, urging parents to remain vigilant and demanding that schools uphold the highest standards of care and supervision for all children.