Fort Worth, TX Daycare Accused of Running a ‘Toddler Fight Club’

Fort Worth Daycare Accused of Running a ‘Toddler Fight Club’ After Teacher Allegedly Encouraged Children to Fight

A Fort Worth daycare is facing a lawsuit after the parents of a 4-year-old boy accused employees of allowing, and allegedly encouraging, children to physically fight inside the classroom. The family claims surveillance video captured a substitute teacher shaking and yelling at their son, throwing him to the floor and encouraging another child to hit and kick him.

The lawsuit has prompted comparisons to a bizarre “toddler fight club,” although that phrase comes from the family’s attorney and the lawsuit, not an official designation. The case involves Arka Montessori Academy of Risinger. The parents, Heather and Richard Harris, filed suit in Tarrant County District Court against Arka Risinger Educators LLC, which operates the daycare.

What the Lawsuit Alleges

According to the lawsuit, the incident happened on April 27th, 2026, when the couple’s 4-year-old son was moved into a combined afternoon classroom after his regular teacher left for the day. The family says another boy approached their son and struck him in the back, leading to a brief physical altercation.

The children were initially separated. But according to the lawsuit, the situation escalated after a substitute teacher, identified as Chynia Johnson, entered the classroom. The lawsuit alleges that Johnson’s own son was involved in the altercation and that, rather than simply separating the children, the substitute teacher grabbed the 4-year-old, shook him and screamed at him.

The complaint further alleges that the teacher swept the boy’s leg out from underneath him while holding his arm, causing him to fall hard onto the classroom floor. The lawsuit says the teacher then encouraged her own child to hit and kick the other boy. Another caregiver allegedly returned to the room and failed to intervene.

The boy’s mother reportedly arrived at the daycare later that afternoon and found her son crying uncontrollably. Initially, the family says they were told that the boy had simply gotten into a fight with another child and that employees had separated them.

The parents then requested to see the classroom surveillance footage. According to their attorney, what the family saw was substantially different from the initial explanation they received. The lawsuit alleges that the child suffered bruises and scratches on his arms as well as post-traumatic headaches. His parents also claim that he experienced continuing anxiety and fear following the incident and has required therapy.

State Investigation Finds Multiple Violations for the School

The allegations did not stop with the lawsuit. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s Child-Care Licensing Division investigated the incident and cited Arka Montessori for multiple violations, including the use of prohibited disciplinary methods.

According to state findings reported by FOX 4 and NBC 5, the violations included grabbing, pulling, yelling and physical restraint. The facility was also cited for failing to ensure that caregivers properly protected children under their supervision. NBC 5 reported that state records connected the daycare to three citations stemming from the April incident.

The lawsuit also claims the daycare has accumulated 16 safety-related citations since opening in January 2024. Those alleged violations reportedly included previous incidents involving children being left unattended outside or alone in a classroom.

The daycare’s own website describes Arka Montessori of Risinger as a childcare and preschool center focused on providing children with a “safe and healthy environment.” The facility says it serves children from 6 weeks through 12 years old.

$1 Million Lawsuit

Heather and Richard Harris are seeking more than $1 million in damages, including exemplary damages, accusing the daycare of negligence, gross negligence and premises liability. Their attorney, Russell Button, has argued that the surveillance footage and state investigation demonstrate serious failures in the daycare’s responsibility to protect the child.

The caregiver accused of physically handling the boy is reportedly no longer employed by the daycare. No criminal charges have been filed in connection with the incident, according to FOX 4. Arka Montessori Academy did not respond to requests for comment from NBC 5 or FOX 4 regarding the allegations. The accusations contained in the lawsuit have not been proven in court, and the daycare will have the opportunity to respond as the case proceeds.

For the parents, however, the issue goes far beyond a typical daycare playground fight. They entrusted the facility with their young child expecting adults to keep the children apart when conflicts erupted. Instead, they allege that an employee turned the situation into something considerably more disturbing.

A lawsuit will now determine what actually happened, who was responsible and whether the daycare should be held financially liable. In the meantime, the case has raised another uncomfortable question for parents: When you drop your child off at daycare, exactly what is happening after you walk out the door?