FT. WORTH, Texas (CN) - Two sets of parents have accused a day-care worker of sexually assaulting their sons during naptime, and they say the care center covered up the crimes by destroying documents and lying to investigators.
The parents of M. and G., the alleged victims, sued the Children's Courtyard and employee Paul Lair Jr. in Tarrant County District Court. The center operates 22 day cares throughout Texas, with some 5,000 children enrolled.
The parents accuse Lair of taking their sons "behind bookshelves" and to other areas of the center outside the view of cameras, and making them undress and perform sexual acts.
The incidents took place in 2001, the complaint says.
G. eventually complained about Lair to his parents, who initiated an investigation, according to the lawsuit.
Managers and employees at the center knew about the allegations and allowed the behavior to continue, the lawsuit says. When questioned by investigators, the managers allegedly destroyed documents and provided false information.
"Children's Courtyard took no action to protect the children," the lawsuit states.
The parents are suing for negligence, assault, breach of contract, fiduciary fraud, destroying documents and lying to the police.
They are represented by Robert Haslam of Haslam & Gallagher.
Read the Top 8
Sign up for the Top 8, a roundup of the day's top stories delivered directly to your inbox Monday through Friday.
Additional Reads
-
Top 8 today September 19, 2023 -
-
Top 8 today September 13, 2023
-
