Unusual Lawsuits

Outraged parents sue North Texas day care for duct taping toddler during naptime

A North Texas family is suing a child care provider for allegedly duct taping their toddler son during naptime. The lawsuit against Heart 2 Heart Montessori Academy in Willow Park accuses the facility of gross negligence, fraud and serious bodily harm to a child.

Parents Kristi and Brad Galbraith filed the Parker County suit August 26; they are being represented by the Rasansky Law Firm. The suit includes photographic evidence of a child duct taped to a mat, and also alleges that Montessori employees withheld liquids from the children in order to reduce diaper changes.

The lawsuit also alleges that Montessori employees withheld liquids from the children in order to reduce diaper changes.

“Behavior like that is an unconscionable breach of the faith that parents place in child care providers,” attorney Jeffrey Rasansky said in a statement. “This lawsuit was necessary to ensure that this incident is properly investigated so that no other child is ever treated this way.”

The claims date back to June and involve former owner Pamela Decker. The suit also details incidents with Decker and several other children at the academy.

The Galbraiths learned that their son had been duct taped to his mat from Hannah Tidwell, another teacher at Heart 2 Heart who was disturbed by the actions. Neither Tidwell nor Decker currently works at the facility.

The lawsuit quotes Decker as defending her use of duct tape on the child. “He was quiet. He never cried. He never complained. He was not in any anguish. … He was not harmed in any way, emotionally, physically, at all.”

According to Rasansky, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and the Willow Park Police Department are still in the process of investigating the initial claims. The preschool now provides cameras for parents to observe their children and has implemented “regular liquid breaks.”

In a statement, owner and director Ashlea Pena did not respond to the specific allegations in the lawsuit, saying only that “Pam Decker is no longer a co-owner of Heart2Heart Montessori or associated with the school in any way.” Pena, Decker's daughter, oversees day-to-day operations of the academy, which offers classes for children ages 18 months to 5 years.

Heart 2 Heart Montessori Academy in Willow Park.

Photo via Heart 2 Heart Montessori

Heart 2 Heart Montessori Academy in Willow Park.

unspecified

Animal News

Dallas animal shelter invites residents to host a pet during holiday

DAS

Husky at Dallas Animal Services

Dallas Animal Services (DAS) is inviting the community to help bring pets “Home for the Holidays” by adopting or fostering during one of the shelter’s busiest times of the year.

DAS has achieved strong positive outcomes this quarter, including adoptions, foster-to-adopt placements, and underage foster placements, with 1,377 in October and 1,378 in November. The department is now working toward a December goal of 1,400 positive outcomes, with 588 completed so far this month.

“We are grateful for the support our community continues to show,” said Victoria Chittam Bennett, Assistant Director. “Every adoption opens a kennel for another pet in need, and the holidays are an especially meaningful time to welcome a new companion.”

This season, adopters will also have the chance to participate in the Friends of Dallas Animal Services (FODAS) 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways, fully funded and supported through donations from generous community supporters. For more information about this initiative, visit friendsofdas.org and watch out for announcements on social media.

Holiday staycations
Residents who may not be ready to adopt can still support DAS pets by participating in Silent Night Holiday Staycations, a short-term foster opportunity that gives dogs a relaxing break from the shelter during the holiday period.

Pickup dates are scheduled for December 20-21, with drop-off options on December 27-28 or January 3-4. Participants typically spend 1-3 hours at the shelter selecting a foster match, and contact with pets outside the home should be limited. Questions may be directed to DASFtA@dallas.gov.

“Holiday Staycations allow our dogs to decompress and show their personalities in a home environment,” said Amanda Earl, Assistant Director. “The insight we receive from these foster stays is invaluable in helping pets find permanent homes.”

DAS encourages the community to adopt, foster, volunteer, or share adoptable pets to help meet December’s lifesaving goals.
“Together, we can bring home the holidays for the pets relying on us,” said Director Paul Ramon.

For more information on adoptable pets, holiday programs, or ways to get involved, visit https://bedallas90.org/ or stop by the DAS Shelter at 1818 N. Westmoreland Rd.

animals