9-Year-Old with Autism Found at Child Care Center with His Hands Bound

Kala Hall, a mother from Nevada, was horrified when she arrived at a local child care center on March 20 to pick up her 9-year-old son, Kody. Upon her arrival, Hall discovered her son with his hands bound behind his back, lying on his stomach with his mouth open and head tilted. According to Hall, Kody appeared unresponsive, leading her to believe he was “dead.” Hall, who spoke to CBS affiliate KLAS about the incident, reported that the child care staff did not have any immediate answers for her. Kody, who has autism but is verbal, did not communicate what had happened, leaving Hall deeply concerned.

Police Investigation and Facility’s Response

Hall immediately contacted the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, who investigated the incident. However, the police declined to move forward with a criminal investigation. According to detectives, Kody had been seen playing with a blanket that was wrapped around him, and evidence did not support the claim that a crime had been committed. Investigators further suggested that neither Kody nor another child could have bound his hands. An employee allegedly told police that the children had been playing a game of “cops and robbers” at the time. Despite the police’s conclusion, Hall remains determined to pursue legal action.

Legal Action and Alleged Negligence

Hall, with the support of her attorney Ramzy Ladah of Ladah Law Firm, plans to sue the child care center for alleged negligence. Ladah emphasized that the lawsuit is not only about Kody’s experience but also about ensuring that day care centers properly care for children and do not engage in abusive behavior. Hall also expressed frustration with the surveillance footage from inside the room where the incident took place. When she reviewed the footage, she was unable to see Kody, but an employee reportedly claimed that she could only see Kody’s feet. Hall expressed skepticism, alleging that the employee was using her cellphone during the incident.

Child Care Center’s Statement and Ongoing Investigation

In response to the incident, Cherished Legacy Academy, the child care facility in question, issued a statement asserting that they had acted promptly. They communicated with the family, reported the incident to authorities, and conducted an internal investigation. The facility stated that after reviewing video footage, interviewing staff, and conducting on-site visits, no violations were identified by the licensing board, and the case was closed by authorities. However, a spokesperson from Nevada’s Child Care and Development Program confirmed that the investigation into the incident is still ongoing, with no conclusions reached yet.

This troubling incident has sparked concern among parents and the community, prompting further scrutiny of the practices at child care centers and the safety of children in such environments. Hall’s determination to seek justice underscores the need for accountability and better oversight in child care facilities.