CEDAR CREEK LAKE—Two families in the Cedar Creek Lake Area have sought legal counsel to hold a day care owner accountable when their toddlers were found outside the facility at a nearby bank by a good Samaritan. 
The suit, which was filed in Henderson County May 1, by attorney Russell Button, alleges that the day care failed to follow state laws regarding proper supervision and maintenance of a safe environment which allowed the toddlers to leave the premises unnoticed. 
The suit also alleges that the three toddlers showed other signs of further neglect including dirty diapers and other issues. 
According to court documents, on December 5, 2023 at or around 4:25 p.m. the children were discovered outside of a neighboring bank by a good Samaritan who was exiting the drive through of the bank. The suit, filed by the Button Law Firm of Dallas, states that according to the good Samaritan, the children were visibly cold, upset and crying when found. After gathering the children, the Samaritan first went to the day care center to see if they could identify the children. 
When the Samaritan received no acknowledgement from the day care they went back to the bank and two bank tellers came out to help with the children, according to the complaint. It further alleges that the Samaritan and bank tellers were able to speak with the day care and confirm that the day care had allowed three toddlers to exit the building and walk the shopping plaza unsupervised. Worried for the children’s safety, the good Samaritan and bank tellers called the police for assistance, the court document states.    
“My heart was broken upon learning how [the day care center] actually cared for my child, and further disrespected us by lying,” says one of the parents suing the day care center. “We selected this day care center based on its claims of providing a nurturing environment and superior childcare which were clearly lies as well. I cannot thank the good Samaritan and bank teller enough for saving my baby.” 
According to the Texas Health and Human Services commission, the day care center has multiple citations from August 2021 to January 2024. The citations include but are not limited to not having an electronic child safety alarm equipped in each vehicle, not keeping floors, ceilings, and walls in good repair and clean, keeping sleeping infants in restrictive equipment, not allowing a Child Protective Services’ agent to observe a classroom and for allowing an unqualified caregiver to care for a group of children unsupervised. 
The Monitor reached out to the day care center and the owner for comment with no response as of press time.