While reviewing CCTV footage to locate a child’s missing shoe, a disturbing case of abuse at a Texas childcare facility was allegedly discovered, leading to a lawsuit.
State investigators cited up to 23 violations against YMCA of Central Texas after surveillance recorded former staff member Geraline Browning engaging in physical abuse towards children.
Geraline Browning, 45, faces four charges of injury to a child and one of assault, following an investigation by the Pflugerville ISD Police Department into her actions at Northwest Elementary School in north Austin.
In one incident, the footage reportedly shows Browning grabbing a two-year-old girl by the neck and collarbone, forcibly placing her on the floor as the child cried.
Court documents further state that Browning later pulled the toddler onto her lap by grabbing under her ear at a pressure point.
The situation emerged when the school district’s HR director reported seeing Browning ‘choking’ a child on CCTV footage from the daycare.
The recorded incidents occurred between January and February of the previous year, according to the documents.
The arrest affidavits claim that Browning was seen grabbing children by their throats and necks, shaking them, and violently pushing them to the floor.
Laura Arredondo, Chief Marketing Officer of YMCA of Central Texas, told CBS Austin at the time: “We recently terminated an employee after reviewing evidence of physical aggression directed at several of our students.
“We immediately alerted the parents, CPS [Child Protective Services], and the local authorities. The well-being of our students is our utmost priority and fortunately, these children are safe.
“We follow the state’s guidelines on safety and run extensive background checks before hiring employees. The YMCA of Central Texas is committed to ensuring the safest possible environment for our families and will work tirelessly to that end.”
Parents claim their children endured ‘serious physical, emotional, and mental injuries’ under Browning’s care, leading to a lawsuit against YMCA. The lawsuit accuses YMCA of failing to properly screen, train, and supervise employees and children in the Pflugerville school’s childcare program.
The alleged violations include failing to report incidents posing risks to children, administering prohibited punishment, and having improper staff-to-child ratios.
The lawsuit, filed late last month in Travis County District Court, seeks damages exceeding $1 million.
In a statement to CBS Austin, YMCA said: “Due to pending litigation, our response is limited. We can tell you upon becoming aware of the situation, we immediately suspended and subsequently terminated the employee after reviewing evidence of physical aggression directed at several of our students.
“We quickly alerted the parents, CPS, and the local authorities. The well-being of our students is our utmost priority. We follow the state’s guidelines on safety and run extensive background checks before hiring employees.
“The YMCA of Central Texas is committed to ensuring the safest possible environment for our families.”
If you need support regarding child welfare issues, you can contact the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). The hotline is available 24/7 for calls from the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico.