An alleged incident that led to a child molestation charge against a daycare worker also has prompted a lawsuit against the Alpharetta facility where the suspect worked, Channel 2 Action News reported.
A woman allegedly found her son’s pants pulled down during nap time in February at Bright Horizons at Deerfield on Webb Road, according to a lawsuit she filed in Fulton County Superior Court.
The 4-year-old said the teacher’s aide, Bernard Benta, fondled his genitals, according to the lawsuit.
The woman, who is not identified in the lawsuit, reported the allegations to a Bright Horizons regional manager and to police, according to the suit.
Benta, 46, of Sandy Springs, was charged with child molestation and sexual assault by a teacher Feb. 19, jail records show. He was released on bond and has a court date in November, Channel 2 reported. Bright Horizons suspended Benta after his arrest.
Benta also is a defendant in the lawsuit.
Bright Horizons’ corporate office said in a statement, “As soon as the family brought their concern to us in February 2016, we reported it and we have worked closely with the authorities as they worked to determine what may have happened.
“Our most important responsibility is to ensure the health and safety of the children in our care and the well-being of the child involved is our primary concern.”
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and a jury trial.
