According to CBS 11, a North Texas mother has convinced state lawmakers to take action after a boy was left unattended in a daycare van in Dallas. Dallas Police were out at Sheranda’s Playhouse in East Dallas Wednesday, continuing their investigation on claims that a 7-year-old boy was left alone in a day care van for five hours. Luckily, the boy was not physically injured.
Currently, daycare center drivers are not required to have ANY safety training, but it could soon become mandatory.
Few people will face a more horrible death than four-year-old Jacob Fox. He was left inside a daycare van for five hours on July 20, 2006. The temperature outside the Dream House Learning Center in Dallas was 104 degrees when he was found dead from hyperthermia. The child was found in the front seat in the fetal position. This was clearly a painful death for this child in which he suffered tremendously.
Jacob’s mother says the void is still there after nearly two years. Mrs. Fox has spent much of the time since her son’s death promoting legislation to require training of daycare van drivers so it won’t happen again. Due to her hard work and determination, Texas State Senator Florence Shapiro has introduced a bill in Jacob’s memory that would mandate at least two hours of annual training on transportation safety for all child care providers.
The daycare operator responsible for Jacob’s death is serving a two year prison sentence that will soon end.
As an officer of the Court, I personally believe this is a life saving bill that will make a difference, but it is clearly not enough action by the Texas legislature. But Jacob’s mother is just beginning her mission to give meaning to her son’s life and death. Child care experts believe training drivers to conduct roll calls and develop routines that keep a head count will prevent deaths.
As we all watch our local evening news or read the local newspaper, on a weekly basis we hear of horror stories are North Texas daycares. These need to be stopped. Parents need the peace of mind while they are at work trying to make ends meet, that their children are safe and secure. The only way to reduce these tragedies is to have the Texas Legislature pass tougher legislation that implements strict criminal prosecution and civil penalties for daycares’ negligent and reckless operations.
If your child was seriously injured or abused at a Texas daycare, it is imperative that you contact an experienced children’s rights attorney who will hold all parties financially responsible for their wrongdoings.
Attorney Scott Edgett is a civil trial attorney with the Humphreys & Peterson Law Firm in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Edgett is licensed to practice law in Texas and Florida. Over the last decade, Mr. Edgett has emphasized on providing superior client representation in a professional and ethical manner, while experiencing high job satisfaction and trying to make the world a safer place for all. Mr. Edgett has been representing families and consumers whose lives have been devastated by reckless drivers, dangerous products and other negligent tortfeasors. When a tragedy occurs because of the irresponsible behavior of a tortfeasor, an insurance company, or a corporation, Mr. Edgett and the firm of Humphreys & Peterson are advocates for the people and will help pursue justice for all. To speak directly to Attorney Scott Edgett, please feel free him at (866) 259-0661, via email at Scott@TexasJusticeForAll.com, or visit our website at www.TexasJusticeForAll.com.
Humphreys and Peterson Law Firm Blog 