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A father in Oviedo is sharing allegations of abuse at a local daycare after his 17-month-old son, Benjamin, returned home with visible injuries. Christopher Gauvin reported that his wife noticed scratches and redness on their child’s face after picking him up from Oviedo Christian Academy, located at, on June 9.
Daycare staff reportedly told the family the injuries were accidental, but video footage of the incident, reviewed by Gauvin days later, revealed a different account, according to News 6.
According to Gauvin, the daycare’s security footage shows daycare worker Lucia Moniri grabbing his son’s face, forcing him to the ground, and yelling. “The teacher walked over, grabbed my son by the face, forcibly put him to the ground, scratched his face, and then proceeded to yell at him and then left the room,” Gauvin said. “And on another video, you see her slapping him in the face.”
An arrest report filed by Oviedo police describes two separate videos of the incident. The first shows the toddler biting another child, prompting Moniri to grab his face and reprimand him in Spanish. The report states that Moniri continued to squeeze his face while yelling at him.
The second video reportedly shows Moniri slapping the child in the mouth at least six times as he sat on the floor crying. The report also alleges she pulled the toddler to a standing position and struck him four more times before grabbing his face again.
Authorities arrested Moniri in June on a charge of child abuse without great bodily harm. Prosecutors have not yet filed formal charges. Moniri’s attorney has emphasized that the video footage should be reviewed in its entirety before conclusions are drawn. The footage has not been made public.
This incident is not the first controversy linked to the daycare. State records reveal the daycare owner previously operated a facility at the same address under the name “All About Kidz.” Last year, a worker at that daycare was arrested after a child was left on a hot bus.
Gauvin said he had trusted the daycare to provide a safe and nurturing environment. “I grew up in this area,” he said. “I enrolled him with the hope he’d have a good environment, he’d learn Christian values.”
The family says the incident has disrupted their lives, leaving them wary of leaving their son in anyone else’s care. “We are turning down jobs at this point just because we have to take care of him,” Gauvin explained. “Even going to church, you know. We will drop him off, but I’ll go and peek into the room just to make sure he’s OK.”
The daycare and its owner have not yet responded to requests for comment. The investigation is ongoing, and updates are expected as the case develops.
When parents entrust their children to a daycare, they expect a safe and nurturing environment. Unfortunately, when abuse occurs at a daycare, families are left grappling with emotional and legal challenges. Michael Haggard, a seasoned Florida lawyer specializing in daycare abuse cases, shares important information about the rights of families and the steps they can take to hold both individuals and institutions accountable.
Editor Darla Medina: For families who find themselves in this heartbreaking situation, what legal options are typically available to hold the daycare accountable?
Attorney Michael Haggard: Families generally have two key paths: the criminal case against the individual responsible and a civil lawsuit against the daycare itself. The criminal case, of course, is handled by prosecutors, and it focuses on punishing the perpetrator. But the civil route allows families to pursue compensation for the harm caused, whether it’s physical, emotional, or both.
Medina: When pursuing a civil case, what factors are important in determining liability for the daycare?
Haggard: There are a few critical points. First, we examine whether the daycare conducted thorough background checks and provided proper training for their staff. Next, we look at whether there was sufficient supervision in the classroom and whether policies were in place to prevent incidents like this. If the daycare failed in any of these areas, they may be held legally responsible.
Medina: What advice would you give to families who suspect their child has been mistreated at a daycare?
Haggard: Document everything. Take photos of injuries, keep a journal of behavioral changes, and request access to any incident reports or security footage. Also, report the issue to both law enforcement and the Department of Children and Families. Consulting an attorney early on can help ensure the family’s rights are protected throughout the process.
If your child has suffered abuse at a daycare, you don’t have to face this alone. Legal action can help ensure accountability and provide the resources needed for healing. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let our experienced team guide you through every step of the process to seek the justice your family deserves.
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