Colorado daycare worker Brandon Vigil slapped a two-year-old child, hurled racial slurs, and now faces a staggering 51 criminal charges as investigators uncover a pattern of horrific child abuse at a facility parents trusted.
At a Glance
- Brandon Vigil, a daycare worker in Centennial, Colorado, has been charged with 51 counts of child abuse and harassment
- Authorities allege Vigil slapped a 2-year-old child and used racial slurs when the toddler “was not moving quickly enough”
- Vigil was hired in February 2024 and fired the day after the September 5th incident
- Investigators discovered multiple instances of harmful, degrading behavior on facility surveillance footage
- A teacher’s aide reported that Vigil had previously been verbally abusive to children in his care
Shocking Abuse Uncovered at Colorado Daycare
In a disturbing case that highlights the vulnerability of our nation’s children, a Colorado daycare worker has been charged with 51 criminal counts after allegedly slapping a toddler and using racial slurs. Brandon Vigil, who worked at a childcare facility in Centennial, now faces 28 counts of child abuse and 23 counts of harassment following an incident on September 5, 2024.
According to law enforcement reports, Vigil allegedly struck a 2-year-old child because the toddler “was not moving quickly enough.” The sheriff’s office stated that Vigil appeared “irritated and in a bad mood and was throwing things” during the incident. Following the physical assault, the child began crying, to which Vigil allegedly responded with a racial slur. The behavior was witnessed by a teacher’s aide who reported being “shocked” by what she saw.
Pattern of Abuse Revealed in Investigation
What initially appeared to be an isolated incident quickly unraveled into something far more sinister as investigators began reviewing footage from the facility. Authorities discovered multiple instances where Vigil exhibited harmful and degrading behavior toward children under his care. The teacher’s aide who reported the slapping incident also revealed that Vigil had a history of verbal abuse toward children, suggesting a pattern of misconduct that went unchecked for months.
During the September 5th incident, Vigil reportedly threw sleeping pads and other items in a classroom with 14 toddlers present. According to the sheriff’s office, he “appeared visibly upset that kids were in his way.”
Systemic Failures and Accountability Questions
The timeline of events raises troubling questions about oversight and accountability. Vigil was hired as a preschool teacher in February 2024 and was terminated the day after the slapping incident—but what systems failed to identify his dangerous behavior before a child was physically assaulted? While the identity of the specific daycare has not been disclosed and the court affidavit has been temporarily suppressed, parents across Colorado are concerned about who is watching their children.
The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office is now collaborating with Colorado State Child Care Licensing and Administration and Arapahoe County Child Protection Services in the ongoing investigation. Authorities have established a tip line for additional information or potential victims, recognizing that more children may have suffered at Vigil’s hands.
