FORT WORTH, TEXAS — A Texas family is suing a Fort Worth daycare after surveillance footage allegedly captured a teacher escalating a confrontation involving her own son and a 4-year-old child, according to a lawsuit filed in Tarrant County District Court.

Heather and Richard Harris filed the lawsuit Sept. 4 against Arka Montessori Academy of Risinger following an April 27 incident involving their 4-year-old son, identified in court documents by the initials “UH.”

According to the lawsuit, UH became involved in an altercation with the son of daycare employee Chynia Johnson. Rather than separating the children, the family alleges Johnson encouraged the confrontation to continue.

The lawsuit claims surveillance footage shows Johnson allegedly attempting to bring the children back into contact before grabbing and shaking UH, pushing him away and later dragging him toward her son as the boy tried to get away.

At another point, Johnson allegedly held UH by the wrist and swiped at his leg. The lawsuit says the child’s feet left the ground before he landed on the hardwood floor.

The family’s attorney, Russell T. ʙuттon, described the alleged incident in particularly strong terms.

“This place looked like a child fight club,” ʙuттon told WFAA. “It felt like one.”

ʙuттon also said the child was allegedly treated like a “human rag doll” by someone who was supposed to be protecting him.

The lawsuit further alleges that another teacher was present but did not intervene.

Heather Harris said she made an unannounced visit to the daycare that day and immediately became concerned after seeing her son. She said his crying and facial expression made her believe something was wrong.

Harris then demanded to see the facility’s surveillance footage. After watching it, she called her husband.

Richard Harris said he was “mortified” by what he saw.

“The trust that I put in this daycare, they failed us,” he said.

The parents say they had carefully researched childcare options before selecting Arka Montessori. They were reportedly impressed by the facility’s cleanliness, educational environment and surveillance cameras and believed their son would be safe there.

The lawsuit alleges UH suffered bruising and scratches to his arms, headaches and pain following the incident. His parents also claim he experienced emotional changes, including anxiety, clinginess and outbursts. They say he eventually stopped attending the daycare.

The case has also drawn attention to the facility’s regulatory history. State records cited in news reports reportedly show Arka Montessori Academy had accumulated 21 deficiencies since January 2024, including issues involving health and safety. A later inspection on Aug. 20, 2026, reportedly found zero deficiencies.

The Harris family is accusing the daycare of failing to protect their son and is seeking accountability through the lawsuit.

Their attorney said the family hopes the case will encourage childcare providers to take stronger steps to protect children entrusted to their care.

Still, the allegations in the lawsuit have not been proven in court. The daycare and individuals named in the claims have the right to respond and defend themselves.

For the Harris family, however, the surveillance footage fundamentally changed how they viewed a place they once trusted.

Heather Harris summed up the experience with a simple warning:

“Everything that glitters isn’t gold.” 💔