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Image: BrightPath / Busy Bees North America, editorial fair use.
Civil litigation involving a Connecticut daycare where a former employee is accused of sexually abusing young children is expected to grow, with attorneys saying additional families are preparing to bring claims, according to reporting by the Hartford Courant , NBC Connecticut and CT Insider.
At least four lawsuits have already been filed against BrightPath’s parent company, Busy Bees, over alleged abuse at the company’s now-closed Avon daycare center. An attorney who represents some of the families said additional legal action is expected soon.
The lawsuits accuse BrightPath and its parent company of failing to adequately protect children from former employee Jan Carlos Berrios-Otero.
Former Employee Faces Multiple Criminal Charges
Berrios-Otero, 29, is accused of sexually abusing young children while working at the BrightPath center in Avon.
Police have charged him in connection with alleged assaults involving multiple children between the ages of 3 and 5. Separate reporting says he faces 18 sexual assault-related charges involving six children and has pleaded not guilty. He remains held on a multimillion-dollar bond.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the allegations, and Berrios-Otero’s attorney has said a federal investigation is also underway.
The criminal charges remain allegations and have not been proven in court.
The civil cases focus on whether BrightPath did enough to prevent the alleged abuse.
The Avon BrightPath location has since closed.
Learn More About Institutional Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
When sexual abuse is alleged at a daycare, school, youth program or other institution, a civil claim may examine whether the organization failed to properly hire, supervise or monitor employees, ignored warning signs or did not take reasonable steps to protect children.
Learn more about these cases in our Institutional Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Guide.
Berrios-Otero Also Worked at Other BrightPath Locations
The case has drawn broader scrutiny because Berrios-Otero did not work exclusively at the Avon center.
BrightPath has said he temporarily covered partial shifts at company locations in Simsbury, Windsor and West Hartford during his employment. The company said it was not aware of allegations involving those other centers.
BrightPath has also said Berrios-Otero passed required state and federal background checks and met state employment and training requirements.
The company has said it is cooperating with authorities and reviewing records across its Connecticut operations.
Connecticut Lawmakers Have Called for Broader Review
The allegations have prompted some Connecticut lawmakers to seek scrutiny beyond the Avon center.
Several state senators called on regulators and the attorney general to examine BrightPath’s operations and licensing practices statewide.
Connecticut’s Office of Early Childhood responded that each daycare location is separately licensed, meaning the state could not simply revoke licenses for all BrightPath centers based solely on allegations involving one facility.
BrightPath operates dozens of locations in Connecticut and hundreds across North America through its parent company.
Lawsuits Focus on Institutional Responsibility
As more families consider legal action, the central civil question is likely to remain whether BrightPath took reasonable steps to protect children in its care.
Daycare sexual abuse lawsuits may examine hiring and vetting practices, staff supervision, reporting procedures, prior warning signs and whether an institution responded appropriately when concerns were raised.
