Three families have filed a lawsuit against the YMCA of Central Texas, accusing the organization of failing to protect their children from physical abuse at a Pflugerville daycare program. The disturbing revelations came after school authorities reviewed security footage while searching for a missing shoe.
The surveillance videos from January and February 2024 captured a former YMCA worker, Geraline Browning, grabbing children by the neck, shaking them, and slamming them onto the ground. Browning, who worked at the YMCA’s Child Development Center at Northwest Elementary, was charged with five counts of injury to a child.
The lawsuit, filed in Travis County District Court, alleges that the YMCA did not adequately supervise, train, or vet its staff. This negligence led to several instances of abuse against toddlers, according to the lawsuit.
While reviewing the footage, staff discovered an incident in February 2024 where Browning, distracted by her phone, forcefully seized a child by the arm, forced her to sit on the floor, and choked and shook her while she cried. The girl was later scolded for crying, and her mother reported that her daughter frequently came home with unexplained bruises and scratches.
Detectives continued to review the footage and uncovered more instances of abuse. Between January 29 and February 21, 2024, Browning was caught on camera violently grabbing toddlers by their arms, necks, and collarbones, choking a toddler until she began hysterically crying, and shaking another child.
In one incident, Browning grabbed a 2-year-old by the back of the neck, spun her around, and forced her to the ground while other children watched in terror. The lawsuit also accuses the YMCA of failing to create incident reports until after the state licensing department issued citations and instructed the YMCA to comply with Texas law.
Browning was suspended after the first abuse incident was discovered but was not terminated until police got involved. “Nothing about what happened at the YMCA or how the organization operated this daycare center is acceptable. Innocent toddlers were severely mistreated and unsafely disciplined on multiple occasions,” the lawsuit concludes.
Russell Button, representing the three families, said the lawsuit is seeking a jury trial and an undetermined amount in damages. The YMCA responded that they immediately suspended and terminated the employee upon discovering evidence of physical aggression. They also stated that they alerted parents, CPS, and local authorities, emphasizing that the well-being of their students is their top priority.
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