FORT WORTH, Texas — A Fort Worth mother is seeking accountability after a teacher at a Spanish immersion daycare taped her toddler and other children to their chairs, an incident the daycare acknowledged violated company policy and is under state investigation.
Missy Bowie said she learned about the incident in late June after receiving a call from administrators at Tierra Encantada, where her daughter, Scottie, has attended since infancy.
Bowie said school officials later showed her photos and video that appeared to show a teacher wrapping blue painter’s tape around the laps of several children to secure them to their chairs during meal or activity time. According to Bowie, the children in the classroom ranged in age from 18 to 36 months.
Tierra Encantada confirmed in a statement that employees used painter’s tape to create what it described as “makeshift seatbelts” for children. The company said the practice was unauthorized and violated its policies.
The daycare said it terminated the two employees involved, notified Texas Child Care Licensing and informed affected families. The company also said it invited law enforcement to review the video footage and was told investigators would not pursue a criminal investigation because they found no intent to harm.
Bowie disputed the company’s characterization of the incident, saying she believes the children were abused. She also said one video appeared to show a child lifting his shirt before being taped, leading her to believe the practice may have occurred previously.
Bowie said her daughter has since been withdrawn from the daycare. She also said the child recently began refusing to wear the safety belt on her highchair at home, which she believes may be related to the incident.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is investigating.
In its statement, Tierra Encantada said the classroom was fully staffed with two teachers supervising 10 to 12 children and that the use of tape did not reflect the organization’s policies or standards. The company said it will continue cooperating with state investigators and communicating with families about the incident.