Sachse Daycare Hit with $1 Million Lawsuit Over Alleged Sexual Abuse of 4-Year-Old Boy

SASCHE (WBAP/KLIF News ) – A Sachse daycare is facing a lawsuit from a woman who claims her four-year-old son was allegedly abused by a caregiver.

Court records show police arrested 19-year-old Efrain Bonilla, an employee of the By the Barnyard Gate Daycare, on an indecency with a child charge in January of 2023.

According to press release by the Button Law Firm, the mother contacted the daycare after her son told he he was inappropriately touched by Bonilla.

The complaint, which was filed June 10, states surveillance video shows Bonilla sitting next to the child, rubbing his hands together to warm them up and lifting a blanket covering the boy.

Bonilla then blocked the camera’s view, allegedly put his hand down the front of the boy’s pants and groped him, according to the lawsuit.

The alleged abuse stopped once another caregiver entered the classroom.

The mother claims the daycare did not report the incident to the police and allowed Bonilla to continue to work there until the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services stepped in.

The lawsuit states an independent investigation substantiated the allegations of abuse and forced the daycare to fire Bonilla.

“I am heartbroken over the abuse that my child experienced at By the Barnyard Gate and furious that the school allowed it to happen to him,” says Markley. “My son’s innocence should have been protected at this school. I am filing this lawsuit and speaking up for what is right to shield my child and other children in our community.”

The lawsuit seeks over $1 million in damages.

“Sexual abuse is a horrific crime with lifelong psychological impacts to victims, including the young child in this case,” says Russell Button, a daycare injury lawyer at The Button Law Firm who is representing the mother. “This incident and the response of By the Barnyard Gate are deeply disturbing. The school failed to prioritize the safety of our client’s child and other children numerous times.”

Bonilla is set to stand trial in August.