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A family in Wisconsin has shared their plans to sue a KinderCare day care after their infant child tested positive for cocaine.
According to CBS 58, Kimberly Hopson reportedly noticed scratches on her 11-month-old son, Prince, on May 3. At the time, Hopson questioned the staff at KinderCare. However, they alleged they “did not know what happened.”
Over the next few days, Hopson noticed more “scratches and injuries” to her son.
“[There were] bruises pretty much all over the chest area, the abdomen area, the legs, his buttocks, even. The only explanation that was provided to his mother was that, somehow, he must have fell out of his highchair,” Hopson’s attorney, B’Ivory LaMarr, told the outlet.
According to the outlet, Prince began vomiting for two days straight, ultimately prompting his mother to take him to a medical professional on May 15. CBS 58 reports that on the same day, “doctors… notified police of a possible child abuse case.”
Then, on May 21, doctors tested the child’s urine, which came back positive for cocaine.
Police reportedly raided Hopson’s home in search of the substance. When it was not located there, authorities turned their attention to the KinderCare in Oak Creek. On May 22, police discovered a bag of cocaine “in a backpack on the floor of an unlocked closet in the infant room.”
Passion Watson, a 24-year-old employee at KinderCare, was arrested. Watson reportedly admitted to using the substance while alleging she was unaware of it being in the backpack, per WISN.
“Watson advised she did not know how [the child] could have been exposed, but stated that it was a possibility that he was exposed to the cocaine from her, however, denied using cocaine at any time last week,” Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Olstinski reportedly asserted in the criminal complaint against Watson.
According to the outlet, Watson has been charged with “possession of cocaine on or near certain places.” Authorities reportedly anticipate more charges to be added to the woman’s crime.
According to CBS 58, Watson is no longer employed at the KinderCare location. Furthermore, on Tuesday, May 28, the establishment released a statement about the incident.
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the children in our care. We work hard to create healthy spaces for work, play, and learning. All of our centers and programs are drug, alcohol, and tobacco-free. The teacher involved is no longer a KinderCare employee.”
Meanwhile, WISN reports that the KinderCare Oak Creek location has at least 23 recorded violations with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Three violations reportedly center on “supervision and treatment of children at the facility.”
Additionally, staff members have allegedly accused others of “being aggressive” with children, “tossing” children, and even speaking about the “physical and sexual characteristics” of children.
According to TMZ, Hopson has exclusively shared her plans to file a lawsuit against KinderCare for child neglect. Hopson and her lawyer have alleged that the establishment offered to cover Prince’s medical expenses. However, they believe that’s “just not enough.”
The outlet adds that Hopson’s suit may also include allegations of “negligent supervision, premises liability, assault and battery, and potentially more.”
