PFLUGERVILLE, Texas — Three families have filed a lawsuit against the YMCA of Central Texas after claims a day care worker abused their children.
The lawsuit alleges negligence on the organization’s part for not catching the alleged incidents and failing to provide overall child safety. In this case, it involved three toddlers ranging from ages 2 to 3.
Geraline Browning is at the center of the lawsuit and the prime caregiver attorney Russell Button – who is representing all families – said caused harm to the children while she was working at the YMCA Childcare Development Center inside Northwest Elementary School in Pflugerville.
Button said after going over surveillance footage, there were multiple incidents captured on video. The lawsuit shows there were incidents going as far back as Jan. 29, 2024 and throughout February.
Those included Browning grabbing a child by the neck and choking the child for 6 seconds before releasing her, grabbing another child from behind the neck and collarbone with both hands and aggressively pushing them to the ground, and bumping into a child, causing the child to fall to the and hit their forehead on a cabinet.
KVUE first reported on Browning last April for the February incident stated in the lawsuit. Browning faces criminal charges for injury to a child after she was accused of choking multiple children.
“All of these shocking admissions that have come to light was confirmed by surveillance footage, which showed and exposed a caregiver’s pattern of disturbing and dangerous discipline methods against 2- and 3-year-old toddlers,” said Button.
Button added, “It’s heart-wrenching and it’s just quite frankly – it’s alarming and it needs to be stopped.”
The lawsuit also claimed YMCA of Central Texas didn’t fire Browning until after Pflugerville ISD Police got involved.
KVUE reached out to the YMCA of Central Texas on Tuesday for a comment on the lawsuit and to confirm Browning’s firing, but we did not get a response at the time of publication.
KVUE reached out to Browning’s attorney, but did not get a response back.
KVUE also reached out to Pflugerville ISD, and was provided with the following statement:
“PfISD is aware of the lawsuit filed by parents against the YMCA related to the YMCA Childcare Development Center. The District is cooperating with the appropriate authorities regarding the ongoing legal proceedings related to this matter. Given the pending litigation, PfISD is not in a position to provide further comments at this time. The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining a secure and supportive environment for our community.”
Button said the family is hoping for change from the YMCA of Central Texas and accountability. He also noted once the incidents came to light, the families removed their children from the day care.
“It’s a long road to recovery when you’re going through repeated instances of negligent treatment. It’s going to be a long time. We’re going to help them through that process,” said Button.