Disturbing Allegations Surface as Five Families Sue Dallas Daycare for Toddler Mistreatment
On February 3, 2026, a troubling incident unfolded in the Dallas suburb of Carrollton, Texas, where five families came together to file a lawsuit against Camden Hill Montessori. This daycare center, which was trusted with the care of their toddlers, is facing serious allegations of mistreatment, with claims that caregivers subjected the children to aggressive handling and inappropriate discipline more than 140 times while in their care. The families have become advocates for the safety of young children, aiming to highlight the vulnerability of toddlers and the responsibility of daycare providers.
The Hernandez family, whose 16-month-old son was among those involved, first became concerned when they were informed that their child had been injured. Initially, they were told the child was merely 'sitting weird' and that the leg injury he sustained was an unfortunate result of typical childhood play. However, after a visit to the emergency room revealed a severe contusion that prevented their child from walking without a limp for days, the family’s suspicions grew. They requested a review of the surveillance footage from the daycare, which revealed shocking instances of abuse.
The video footage captured instances where caregivers aggressively handled children, including lifting toddlers by just one arm and dropping them from a height onto the ground. In one particularly heartbreaking moment, a caregiver was seen lifting the small child off the ground and then releasing him into a fall, leaving him crying and in pain. This was not an isolated case; the footage exposed more than 140 acts of aggression and inappropriate discipline that spanned over just five days in the daycare.
Parents trusted the daycare to provide a safe environment for their children—toddlers too young to defend or communicate their distress. Russell Button, an attorney representing the families from The Button Law Firm, pointedly expressed, "This lawsuit is about protecting vulnerable children and seeking accountability…I cannot stress enough how essential it is to bring these issues to light.” The lawsuits were not just a reaction to isolated incidents; they revealed a systemic failure of the daycare facility to protect children from harm. The complaint stated that caregivers covered children’s mouths when they cried, pulled hair, pinched, slammed toddlers onto changing tables, and reported incidents inaccurately to mask the severity of injuries.
The unfortunate reality is that when the state’s Texas Health and Human Services Commission conducted an independent investigation, it was revealed that the facility had broken nine different childcare laws. This supports the claims made by these families as they seek justice for their children. Following these serious allegations and the outcomes of the investigation, Camden Hill Montessori was closed in October 2025, but the memories and trauma continue to loom over the affected families.
Jamus and Alezandra Hernandez are representative of the families affected; their journey from trusting parents to advocates for change underlines the struggle many face when placing their children in daycare. The incident has profoundly changed how they perceive childcare, with Jamus stating, “We sent our son to daycare believing he would be safe and cared for. Seeing what actually happened on video was devastating.” They share their story to raise awareness, hoping to prevent such an incident from occurring again for another family.
In addition to the Hernandez family, the lawsuit also represents the Kirk, Showalter, Baker, and Brian families, all of whom are seeking accountability from those they entrusted with their children’s safety. The lawsuit, filed in a Dallas County Civil District Court, underscores a larger issue of childcare safety that demands attention in communities everywhere. It serves as a stark reminder that vigilance and accountability are crucial in environments serving our youngest and most vulnerable citizens.
The Hernandez family, whose 16-month-old son was among those involved, first became concerned when they were informed that their child had been injured. Initially, they were told the child was merely 'sitting weird' and that the leg injury he sustained was an unfortunate result of typical childhood play. However, after a visit to the emergency room revealed a severe contusion that prevented their child from walking without a limp for days, the family’s suspicions grew. They requested a review of the surveillance footage from the daycare, which revealed shocking instances of abuse.
The video footage captured instances where caregivers aggressively handled children, including lifting toddlers by just one arm and dropping them from a height onto the ground. In one particularly heartbreaking moment, a caregiver was seen lifting the small child off the ground and then releasing him into a fall, leaving him crying and in pain. This was not an isolated case; the footage exposed more than 140 acts of aggression and inappropriate discipline that spanned over just five days in the daycare.
Parents trusted the daycare to provide a safe environment for their children—toddlers too young to defend or communicate their distress. Russell Button, an attorney representing the families from The Button Law Firm, pointedly expressed, "This lawsuit is about protecting vulnerable children and seeking accountability…I cannot stress enough how essential it is to bring these issues to light.” The lawsuits were not just a reaction to isolated incidents; they revealed a systemic failure of the daycare facility to protect children from harm. The complaint stated that caregivers covered children’s mouths when they cried, pulled hair, pinched, slammed toddlers onto changing tables, and reported incidents inaccurately to mask the severity of injuries.
The unfortunate reality is that when the state’s Texas Health and Human Services Commission conducted an independent investigation, it was revealed that the facility had broken nine different childcare laws. This supports the claims made by these families as they seek justice for their children. Following these serious allegations and the outcomes of the investigation, Camden Hill Montessori was closed in October 2025, but the memories and trauma continue to loom over the affected families.
Jamus and Alezandra Hernandez are representative of the families affected; their journey from trusting parents to advocates for change underlines the struggle many face when placing their children in daycare. The incident has profoundly changed how they perceive childcare, with Jamus stating, “We sent our son to daycare believing he would be safe and cared for. Seeing what actually happened on video was devastating.” They share their story to raise awareness, hoping to prevent such an incident from occurring again for another family.
In addition to the Hernandez family, the lawsuit also represents the Kirk, Showalter, Baker, and Brian families, all of whom are seeking accountability from those they entrusted with their children’s safety. The lawsuit, filed in a Dallas County Civil District Court, underscores a larger issue of childcare safety that demands attention in communities everywhere. It serves as a stark reminder that vigilance and accountability are crucial in environments serving our youngest and most vulnerable citizens.
Topics People & Culture）
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