Myrtle Beach Daycare Facing New Lawsuit Following Previous Employee’s Guilty Plea
In a sad turn of events, a daycare facility in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is back in the headlines, facing yet another lawsuit. This comes just months after a former employee admitted guilt in court for harming toddlers under her care. This lawsuit, filed on Monday, raises serious concerns about the practices and safety measures at the My Sunshine Child Development Center.
What’s the Lawsuit All About?
The latest legal action is centered around a woman who claims her five-year-old nephew, whom she is raising, suffered harm while attending the daycare. In her suit, she’s accusing the daycare of negligence, asking for actual, consequential, and punitive damages as part of her claim. The details of this case are alarming and outline some troubling behaviors by former teacher Alexandria Allabaugh.
Documents reveal that on February 14, My Sunshine allegedly discovered concerning allegations about Allabaugh and promptly arranged a meeting for parents just two days later. During this gathering, parents were reportedly shown grueling video footage that depicted Allabaugh mistreating various children, including the plaintiff’s nephew. The disturbing tape allegedly captured her doing things like “waking children up from their naps by kicking them,” “dumping them off of their sleeping mats,” “excessively yelling at the children,” and “forcefully grabbing and dragging children.”
Parents’ Heartbreak
One parent present at the meeting—identified as the child’s other legal guardian—was so shaken by the footage that he couldn’t even finish watching the entire video. The overwhelming concern is that the child, part of the legal guardianship, experienced significant trauma as a result. The lawsuit emphasizes that following these harrowing experiences at the daycare, the child was taken out of the facility and has since suffered from “mental anguish, emotional distress, and physical injury.”
Background on the Accused
It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time Allabaugh has found herself in hot water. The current lawsuit mirrors another one that was filed against the daycare back in August. Allegations from that suit also mentioned that, in 2022, Allabaugh was under investigation by the South Carolina Department of Social Services concerning claims at a different daycare. Although those particular claims came back “unfounded,” she was still terminated from her position.
As the situation unfolded, Allabaugh was arrested in March. In July, she pled guilty to three counts of third-degree assault, which resulted in her being sentenced to probation. It raises the question of how a person with such troubling behavior was allowed to work with children in the first place.
The Bigger Picture: Safety at Daycares
The unfolding events have raised serious questions about safety protocols at childcare facilities. Parents naturally want the best for their kids and expect daycare centers to provide safe and nurturing environments. This lawsuit puts the spotlight on My Sunshine Child Development Center and its responsibility to ensure their staff is vetted and well-trained to look after the children entrusted to them.
As of now, many parents are likely feeling the weight of uncertainty when it comes to placing their little ones in care. With two separate lawsuits piling up against the same facility, it’s understandable why parents might think twice before sending their kids to My Sunshine.
As more information becomes available, expect the community to keep a close eye on this situation. Until then, parents are encouraged to engage with local resources and support networks to remain informed about their children’s safety and well-being.
Stay tuned for further updates on this pressing issue.
