San Angelo Daycare Sued After Toddler Allegedly Ingested Rocks While Unsupervised

SAN ANGELO, TX — The guardian of a young child has filed a negligence lawsuit against a local daycare center, alleging the facility left the boy unsupervised long enough for him to consume a large number of rocks and pebbles, causing serious injuries. 

Melissa Watson, as guardian to the minor, filed the civil suit in Tom Green County District Court against Shannon Hill, doing business as Little Coconuts Learning Center. The petition, assigned cause number A230269C, seeks more than $1 million in damages. 

According to the original petition, the incident occurred on or about May 27, 2022, at the daycare located on Sunset Drive. The lawsuit states the child was left unsupervised in the exterior playground for an extended period. During that time, he ingested rocks and pebbles. The consumption was not discovered until Watson took the child home and found large amounts in his diaper, the filing states. He was later transported by CareFlight to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth for treatment and observation due to the risk of internal organ perforations. 

The petition outlines multiple counts, including negligence, negligent undertaking, respondeat superior, negligent training, and negligent supervision/retention/monitoring. It alleges the center failed to provide adequate staffing, training, and supervision; disregarded minor safety; and did not intervene in potential abuse or hazards. Watson claims the child suffered severe physical and emotional damage as a result. 

Hill filed an original answer denying the allegations and demanding a jury trial. The response includes various affirmative defenses, such as contributory negligence, pre-existing conditions, failure to mitigate damages, and limits on recovery under Texas law. It also raises questions about notice of any hazardous conditions and contests claims for exemplary damages.

No trial date has been set. A prove-up hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. May 15, 2026, before Judge Carmen Dusek in the 51st Judicial District Court. 

This story is based on court filings and represents allegations that have not been proven in court.